A leak or change in water use are common culprits of unusually high water bills. In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know to bring your water bill down and start saving money.
What’s considered normal water usage?
According to the EPA, the average person uses 3,000 gallons of water each month. Multiply that by the number of people in your household to determine your average water usage level. For example, the average American family of 4 uses approximately 12,000 gallons. About two-thirds of this goes to toilets (27%), showers (17%), and washing machines (21%). Faucets (15%), dishwashers, and baths make up a smaller percentage of water usage in a home. During summer months, water consumption tends to be even higher due to homeowners watering their lawns and garden and filling and running swimming pools.
Leaks make up the remaining nearly 14% of water usage in a home! Here are where 5 common leaks can be found.
#1: Leaky Toilets
A toilet that continues to run after being flushed (“a running toilet”) can contribute to homeowners’ high water bills. The most common toilet leak comes from a deteriorated or defective flapper at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the seal isn’t tight, water leaks into the bowl. Here’s how you can check for this type of water leak:
- Take the lid off the tank, flush the toilet, and wait for it to refill.
- Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank water.
- Wait at least 20 minutes.
- See food coloring in the toilet bowl? You have a leak.
This can be easily fixed with a new flapper, however, there might be compounding issues that are contributing to the a constantly running toilet.
Toilets that have an improperly adjusted or broken toilet fill (ballcock) valve can also cause water leaks. To check for this type of water leak, take the lid off the toilet tank, flush, and watch to see if water drains into the overflow tubes once the tank is full.
Older toilets use three to seven gallons of water per flush. You can reduce the amount of water used by adding a toilet dam, early closure flapper, or dual flusher to the tank. Another (cheaper) option that works just as well is to set a full, sealed plastic water bottle in each of your toilet tanks to displace some of the water.
#2: Dripping Faucets
A dripping faucet does more than keep you up at night. It can waste 20 gallons of water or more a day. Worn-out washers or seals, loose or corroded parts, high water pressure, and improper installation can all cause a leaky faucet. Most of these can be fixed by replacing the faucet cartridge.
You may have heard that allowing your faucets to drip a little can help prevent the pipes in your home from freezing during the coldest months of the year. The pipes most in danger of freezing (and bursting because of it) are those in unheated areas of your home, such as the garage, basement, attic, or crawl space. Note that you only need to let one faucet drip to protect against freezing pipes. Choose the faucet that’s farthest away from the water source so that the water can flow throughout the system.
#3: Outdoor Systems
Plumbing systems on your home’s exterior, such as spigots and underground irrigation systems can also leak. You can check for leaks by attaching a garden hose to your outdoor spigots. Turn on the water and see if any seeps through the hose at the connection point. If it does, start by making sure the connections are tight. If they are, you may need to replace the rubber hose gasket. If you have a sprinkler system, check for wet spots in your yard when the weather is dry. Even if you don’t notice any, it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber inspect your irrigation system annually, because even a small leak can waste up to 6,300 gallons of water every month.
#4: Water Heaters and Water Softeners
A leaking water heater isn’t always obvious. Just because there are no visible leaks doesn’t mean there’s no leak. Pay attention to the appearance of these appliances. If you notice any rust or corrosion, hear unusual noises, or experience inconsistent water temperatures from your home’s faucets, you might have a hidden leak. If your water softener continuously cycles, that could be a sign of a water leak, as well.
#5 Broken Water Pipes
The pipes in your home carry water to your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and outdoor faucets. If you notice water pooling under a sink or inside a cabinet, you might have a leak. You can temporarily halt a small leak by turning off the water supply and shoring up the crack with tape and epoxy, but you’ll want to call in a professional plumber right away, especially if it’s a larger leak.
Keep in mind that, outside of leaks, things like having house guests or watering your lawn more than usual can increase your water bill. We recommend checking the flow indicator on top of your water meter to determine if you have a leak. After you shut off all the water to your home, look to see if the flow indicator on your water meter is spinning. If it is, you most likely have a water leak.
How to Conserve Water and Save On Your Monthly Bills
Even if there are no hidden leaks, there are things homeowners can do to cut down on water waste and lower their monthly water bill.
- Turn off faucets while brushing teeth.
- Install reduced-flow shower heads.
- Don’t run the washing machine or dishwasher until you have a full load.
- Consider a front-loading or high-efficiency washing machine that uses less water.
- Perform yearly maintenance on your water heater to prolong its life and reduce the risk of leaks
High Water Bill? Not Anymore.
At Maplewood Plumbing and Sewer, we specialize in repairing, replacing, and installing toilets, faucets, outdoor spigots, irrigation systems, and water pipes to keep your home functioning smoothly all year long. If you suspect a plumbing issue is causing unnecessarily high water bills, contact Maplewood Plumbing to fix it fast, prevent further damage, and start saving money on your water bills today.
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