Why Your Water Bill Spiked (Even Without a Leak)

Reasons for an Unusually High Water Bill

Have you been unpleasantly surprised by a spike in your water bill, and don’t know why? If your family hasn’t increased its water usage and you aren’t aware of any leaks, the first thing you can do is contact your local water department to check if there has been a rate increase. If they haven’t, it’s time to do some investigation. Often, a spike in your water bill can be caused by a leak (even a tiny annoying dripping faucet) or increased seasonal usage, such as watering your lawn or filling a kiddie pool during the summer. Again, if neither of these scenarios applies to your situation, here are three sources worth looking into.

Running Toilets

Toilets consume the most water of any household fixture or appliance. A toilet that’s constantly running wastes hundreds of gallons of water over time, which you will pay for through a higher-than-normal water bill. There are several causes of a toilet that won’t stop running, and the good news is that you can DIY for most of the repairs at minimal cost. First, you can check to see if the flapper is worn out and that the flapper chain is the correct length. Sometimes, the chain can get caught, which causes the toilet to continuously run. The fill valve could be leaking, or the gasket may need replacing. Or the handle may be stuck and need to be loosened. If your toilet continues to run and you can’t figure out why or repair it yourself, it’s time to call a professional plumber.

Irrigation Issues

During the summer, homeowners can expect to see an increase in water bills due to gardening, watering lawns, and filling outdoor pools. First, you should check to make sure that none of your outdoor faucets are dripping and that your sprinkler heads aren’t leaking or broken. A tell-tale sign is if you notice puddles of water in your yard. If you have an underground system, there could be damage to the pipes, such as tree root infiltration. Valves can sometimes get stuck in the “on” position, leading to continuous watering. You can also check to see that the water pressure isn’t too high, which can waste water. Regular inspection of your irrigation system can prevent water-wasting malfunctions.

Water Softener

If you’ve recently installed a water softening system, your water bill will increase. This is due to the system’s regeneration process. During the regeneration process, the system cleans the resin beads with a brine solution, which uses water. Industry averages state that it takes 25 to 65 gallons of water to complete a regeneration cycle. Sometimes, the backwash valve can get stuck open, which causes water to continuously cycle, wasting water. If you suspect a problem with your water softener, contact a plumber.

If you have noticed a spike in your water bill and can’t figure out why, reach out to Atlas Butler at 1-800-FURNACE to schedule a service call with one of our experienced plumbers. We will thoroughly check all of your fixtures and appliances for leaks and malfunctions and make recommendations for plumbing repairs or replacements. We have proudly served communities throughout Central Ohio for more than 100 years, and you can count on us to get to the heart of your plumbing problem, so you can get your water bills back under control.