As a homeowner, you become pretty accustomed to how much it costs to manage your utilities every month. When those costs change suddenly, it can be a shock to your budget. While electricity bills can fluctuate significantly with the weather and your climate control needs, your water bill should be pretty consistent most of the time. If it's increased significantly in the last month, it's time to figure out why. Here are several things that you should check to find the source of the problem.
New Appliances
If you've recently added a new appliance to your home, whether it's a refrigerator with a water dispenser or even a swimming pool in the backyard, all of those things consume water. Make sure you rule this out as the source of the issue before you start digging around the rest of your plumbing system.
Interior Plumbing Leak Problems
Some of your indoor plumbing fixtures are prone to leaks, and spotting those can be a challenge. One of the most common indoor sources of water waste is your toilet. If the flapper valve is loose, it could be letting water seep by, causing your toilet to continue running when it doesn't need to.
Listen for sounds of a running toilet between bathroom uses, which is a sign of a flapper leak. If you're still not sure, you can put plumbing dye in the tank and watch over a half-hour or so to see if the color runs into the bowl.
Your faucets and fixtures are another common source of wasted water, and one that's often overlooked. Even one dripping faucet can add up quickly. Check all of your water fixtures, including your sinks and shower head. If you have an outdoor faucet, check that too. Tighten all of the fixtures, and if that doesn't stop the leak, you'll need to talk to a plumbing service.
Irrigation System Problems
If you have an irrigation system installed in your yard, that is another common source of trouble. Whether it's a leaky valve, a broken fixture, or a seal that's let go, water running from your irrigation lines will increase your water bills in a hurry. Check your yard carefully for any areas of excess moisture.
If there's an area of your yard that's significantly wetter than the rest and it's not near your sewer system, that's a sign that you've got either an exterior pipe leak or an irrigation system problem. Your plumber can look at both to determine which one is to blame.
Share7 August 2017
When you get a clogged drain or a toilet that just won't flush, do you reach for the phone and call for a plumber? When you have these seemingly simple plumbing problems around your house, you have to make a decision quickly. Do you pay for someone to come out and make the repairs, or do you attempt the repair on your own? This blog is all about DIY plumbing repairs. You will learn the basics and find tips for when to cut your losses and call in for professional assistance so you don't make a small fix one that needs serious repairs.
