We’ve all been there…casually checking the mail and BOOM…water bill sticker shock! What happened?! On average, each person in the United States uses about 80 to 100 gallons of water per day. If your water bill is showing a higher consumption than that, it could be caused by an undetected water leak in your home. But how to know…?
What Could Be the Reason for Leaks?
Detecting a water leak is critical to saving your hard-earned money. Here are common sources of a high water bill caused by leaks.
Dripping Sinks
A dripping sink is typically caused by a worn or improperly fitted washer. Fortunately, this is usually an easy fix that requires a trip to the hardware store and some elbow grease.
Related: DIY Plumbing Tools Every Homeowner Should Have
Overactive Ice-Machine
To make ice, refrigerators use a water line. An overactive ice-machine is drawing too much water caused by a malfunction in the system. This means it’s time to call a pro.
Leaking Toilet Flappers
If you hear a dripping sound from your toilet, it’s likely caused by a leaking flapper – the large rubber plug at the bottom of the toilet tank behind the bowl. To determine if there’s a leak, drop a small amount of food coloring into the tank. Wait 30 minutes and check to see if the toilet bowl has colored water. If it does, there’s a leak.
Overflow Toilet Leaks
Often, water in the tank can leak into the top of the overflow pipe. An easy way to see if this is a problem is to shake pepper or baby powder into the walls of the toilet tank.
If the powder moves to the center, your overflow is leaking. If the float arm is plastic, you can simply adjust the screw to stop the leak. You can also adjust the sliding clip or bend the arm until the water level is 2” below the top of the overflow pipe.
Leaky Outdoor Bibs and Faucets
It is not uncommon for outside bibs and faucets to fail, especially in extreme hot and cold temperatures. Also, check your settings for automatic sprinklers that could be running for longer than necessary.
Hot Water Tank
To determine if your hot water tank is leaking, check to see if there is water dripping from down the side of the tank. This is an indication that the pressure valve isn’t working properly and requires repair.
Dishwashers and Washing Machines
Is there water on the floor after you do a load of laundry or dishes? This is a major indicator that there is a leak.
How Can I Detect a Water Leak?
Step 1: Make sure there is no water presently in use at your home.
Step 2: Look at your water meter. If the red dial is moving, water is running in your home somewhere.
Step 3: Turn off water to all your toilets one at a time and check the meter after each turn-off. This way, if a toilet is leaking, you will be able to identify which one.
Step 4: If the dial is still moving after water to the toilets has been turned off, cut off the water to your faucets and hose bib. Again, check the meter after each turn-off.
Step 5: At night, once the water has been used for the day, check the level of your water meter.
Step 6: Read the meter in the morning. If it is higher than it was at night, you still have a leak and should contact a professional plumber immediately.
Sometimes no matter how much you put your plumbing skills to the test, you still just can’t find where the leak is coming from. That’s where professional leak detection equipment comes in handy. Our system even handles slab leaks.
Affordable Plumbing Water Leak Repair
Don’t fall victim to skyrocketing water bills! You can save an average of 10 percent on your water bill by stopping water leaks! If you suspect a leak, call the plumbing experts at Integrity Home Solutions at (813) 531-9480.
Our professional plumbers will determine the source and provide the necessary water leak repairs. We offer the quality you can trust when you need it the most!
