Top Reasons for a High Water Bill at Home
Water is an essential service in any community. Think about all of the things that require water in your house. This could be your showers, toilets, sinks, laundry, refrigerator, and sprinklers. Water adds up, and like all things, they aren’t free. A high water bill is inconvenient not only because of the financial expense but also because it implies that it’s being used more than usual. If you haven’t made any changes in your home, you’re probably wondering why your bill is so high. It’s likely that you’re experiencing a leak. The average household’s leaks can account for roughly 10,000 gallons of lost water per year, and 10% of houses leak 90 gallons or more every day. As Minnesota’s Orignal Home Service Provider, we want to help you stop your plumbing leaks. In this article, we share the top reasons for a high water bill.
Leaky/Running Toilets
Toilets account for more than 30% of the average American home’s indoor water use. It should come as no surprise, then, that they offer a significant leak risk. A running or leaking toilet can waste up to 6,000 gallons per month. This costs hundreds of dollars on a monthly water bill. There are two methods for detecting a toilet leak:- Listen – If you hear an unusual hissing sound, you may have a leak and should inspect the tank flapper, water line connections, and seals further.
- Dye Test – You’ll need some food coloring or a dye tablet for this test. Remove the lid from your toilet tank and add a few drops of food coloring (or a dye tablet). Wait 15-20 minutes after putting the dye in the tank before checking the toilet bowl for dye. If there is dye present, there is a leak allowing tank water to enter the bowl.
Faucets & Fixtures That Leak
Another typical reason for a high water bill is leaking faucet fittings. The greater the size of the leak, the more water is wasted, and the higher the water cost. A faucet that leaks around one drip per second, for example, can lose about 17 gallons per day. Fortunately, a leaking faucet is relatively simple to detect and repair. A visual inspection of your faucets, showerheads and other fixtures is all that is required to detect a leak at the fixture. A defective rubber washer in the faucet handle is the most typical cause of a faucet leak. In most circumstances, you can turn off the water to the leaky faucet, unscrew the handle, remove the faulty washer, and replace it. If you replace your fixtures, please contact McQuillan Bros for professional plumbing installation.Leaks in the Irrigation System
Not all leaks happen inside. You most liklely have an irrigation system for your landscaping. A line break or a weak joint could allow water to escape even when the system is turned off. Finding these leaks can be difficult, especially if the irrigation system’s lines are buried out of sight. To find these leaks, look for unusually damp patches of grass or portions of grass that are lusher than the rest of the lawn. Keep in mind, however, that these leak symptoms are similar to leak signs in a lateral line. To repair this type of leak, you may need to hire McQuillan Bros to locate the source of the leak and repair or replace the affected irrigation lines.Leaks in the Lateral Line
One of the subterranean pipes feeding water from your metered connection to your home may have a crack or loose joint in some situations. These leaks are caused by a variety of circumstances, including pipe age, seismic activity, tree root penetration, and animal activity. While similar to an irrigation leak, this issue is frequently far more serious. The quantity of extra water use reported on your utility bill might serve as an indicator when determining whether the leak is in your irrigation line or your lateral line water supply pipe. The best solution for these issues is to call a specialist. A specialist can advise you on the best solution for your problem, which could be trenchless sewer repair.Outdated Fixtures and Toilets
Many Twin Cities homes have a rich history tied to them, as do the plumbing fixtures. In recent years, several efficiency improvements have been made to popular water fixtures, such as new-model faucet aerators, low-flow water-saving toilets, and water-saving showerheads. This is rarely a sudden issue; rather, it is something that comes with the house and has you paying higher-than-expected water costs from day one. Look for WaterSense marking or the date of manufacture on your home’s faucets, toilets, showerheads, and other water-using equipment. When purchasing a new property, our friends at Headwaters Construction In.c, a general contractor in Sacramento, recommend asking the owner or real estate agent if the plumbing fixtures have been replaced since the home was built.Recent Water Use Changes
A slight change in your water use habits or home scenario might have a significant influence on your utility bill. A change in season or the addition of a new guest/family member to your household is two major reasons you might adjust your water use patterns. The easiest way to counteract or prevent a dramatic increase in your water consumption is to plan ahead of time wherever possible. In other circumstances, you may need to budget for higher water consumption during specific months or for the duration of having that extra person in your home.New Water-Useful Equipment
In a similar vein, installing new water-intensive equipment in your house can result in a big increase in your water bill. Pools, sprinkler systems, washing machines, refrigerators, and other new appliances might cause a spike in your water cost. To reduce the impact of new equipment on your water cost, look for high-efficiency appliances or those with the WaterSense badge.Bad Water-Wasting Habits
A high water bill is frequently the result of overconsumption behaviors associated with appliances and household utilities. You may dramatically reduce your water bill and resource efficiency by eliminating water waste activities such as:- Using top-loading washing machines, which use up to 200 % more water than current front-loading washing machines.
- Using washing machines for half-or quarter-loads rather than waiting for full loads of laundry.
- Overwatering lawns
- Long showers
- Hand washing dishes
- Leaving the water running while brushing your teeth or shaving is a waste of water flow.
Contact McQuillan Bros
Contact our plumbing company today to learn more about the various elements that influence your water bill and usage. Our team of experienced plumbers always provides quality Twin Cities plumbing services. Whether it’s plumbing inspection, repair, or replacement, McQuillan Bros can always help.Complete the form below and one of our team members will give you a call to help get you scheduled. If you have an urgent need please call us at
(651) 292-0124.
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