Water bills are almost impossible to predict and frustrating to deal with. They can be very high and you might not understand why. It can be hard to find a source that will help you pinpoint the source of your financial troubles.
The most common cause of high water bills is leaking. These occur in a variety of places all over your home, from your bathroom to your backyard. This is why it is important to track your water usage, so you can track a leak in progress before it has a drastic impact on your bills.
Many specific locations may disrupt your finances. Read on to learn more about each one, and what you can do about it.
Leaking Toilet
The toilet is one of the most common places for issues with water to circulate. There are two main ways that the appliance may be broken. It will either be:
- Leaking: Your toilet will be dripping water, normally by the tank area.
- Running: The other version of water waste is if your toilet continuously runs after you flush it. This means that water is in continuous circulations rather than sitting still.
Leakalertor.com reveals that a running toilet can cost up to $60 a day on your bills, while a leaking toilet can add $50 a month to the same fee. It is a big problem.
Fixing the Toilet
For both leaking and running toilets, the simplest way to fix them is to hire a plumber. They are professionally trained and will have your issue resolved in no time. However, if you are determined to do it yourself, there are a few things you might want to check.
A running and leaking toilet might be caused by:
- An improperly placed float: The float determines the water level, so if it is too high the water will be too much.
- A leaking flapper: Flappers are often old and need to be replaced or they cause leaks.
- A refill tube that is too long: A refill tube that exceeds a proper length will lead to leakages as well.
Check all of these locations when proceeding with a DIY fix. Consult reliable online sources for resources on finishing the job.
Dripping Faucets
Like the toilet, faucets can also leak and become the source of much financial burden. These might start to drip for a variety of reasons, according to draincleaninglasvegas.org, which includes:
- Water pressure: The water pressure may be too high, which causes leakage in the faucet. This is an easy fix.
- A worn seal: Minerals might build up and erode the seal.
- A dirty valve seat: Sediment can gather and directly cause a leak.
There are many other pieces and components of a faucet that might spout a leak. These leaks may be the source of your increased financial cost. These three, however, tend to be the main ones.
Fixing a Faucet
The easiest way to fix a faucet is to call a professional. Often, the cause of this problem is a water pressure issue. This is dangerous to handle on your own. Contacting an expert in this field will guarantee that the job is done properly and takes the worry out of your hands.
If you want to fix it yourself, consult expert sources online before proceeding. Take care to not injure or harm either yourself or any of your appliances in the process.
Dribbling Sprinkler
An outdoor version of a leak that might be harming your water bill is the sprinkler. These often leak due to:
- Dirt buildup: A blockage of dirt on the sprinkler system may be contributing to the leak.
- Damage: Sometimes, a car may run over the sprinkler without your knowledge. This damage can contribute to excess water.
- Low-head drainage: This is an issue with the water flow after the valves are turned off. Water gathers in the area of the sprinkler and spreads.
Among these, there are several ways that your sprinkler could be leaking. If it is, it costs you dearly every single month.
Fixing a Broken Sprinkler
There are a couple of ways you might go about repairing your broken sprinkler. They might be:
- Hiring a professional: Though this is the most costly, hiring a professional will ensure that the job is done properly.
- Replacing the sprinkler head: This is a tricky task, but not impossible. Detailed instructions can be found at familyhandyman.com.
- Assessing the dirt: You might just need to make sure that your sprinkler has not been overwhelmed with piles of dirt. This may be the simplest fix of all.
Whatever you select, it will be best for the betterment and future of your water bill. Make sure that the task is completed correctly to prevent more problems in the future.
Filling a Pool
If your water bill has gone up during the summer and you have access to a pool in your yard, it is easy to understand why the cost is so high. Filling up and using water outside will contribute to the finances. To save money, take care that you do not use the hose longer than you need to.
Some ways that you might save money on a pool include:
- Only filling it once: Once you have placed water inside for the summer, you might not put any more water into it.
- Investing in a smaller pool: A smaller pool requires minimal water. Less water costs less.
- Using your pool year-round: Though it may be cold, using it year-round will prevent you from having to fill it up when summer rolls around.
In all, it may just be best to keep in mind that your expenses will go up when it comes time to fill up your summer investment.
Service Line Leaks
Service line leaks are underground and can often go unseen for a very long time. Casewersurgeon.com states that the service line brings water to the house. The ones located on the property are the responsibility of the homeowner to fix.
Fixing A Service Line Leak
The above-referenced Sewer Surgeon offers one solution to fixing a service line leak. Their style of solution is a non-invasive procedure, and they provide:
- Trenchless water line replacement: If replacement is needed, this company will provide a replacement service that will not destroy your entire yard.
- Waterline repair: They will inspect the damage and inform you of the next steps needed.
- Free estimate: It will not cost you anything for this company to come and inspect the damage on your property. They will tell you how much they think it will cost.
Services like these allow for a quick turnaround on a bigger problem. A service line is critical to fix fast since it is difficult to pinpoint with our own eyes.
Other Sources of High Water Bills
There are a few less common items that might be causing your water bill to soar. These include:
- Outdated appliances and fixtures
- Water-cooled air conditioners
- Water softener issues
Make sure that you consider these when analyzing the cause of your high water bill. Some reasons for the increase may be easier to see than others.
Conclusion
There are several reasons why your water bill may be so high. It can be anything from a leaky toilet to filling up a pool. The important thing is to get it fixed as fast as possible so you and your loved ones can relax in financial security.
Sources:
https://draincleaninglasvegas.org/leaky-faucet-common-causes/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/replacing-broken-lawn-sprinkler-heads/
