Have You Noticed An Unusual Spike In Your Water Bill? Learn About Why A Plumbing Problem Might Be The Cause. 

High Water Bill? Here’s Why It Might Be A Plumbing Problem

Do you have a sudden spike in your water bill? A plumbing problem might be the cause. A high-water bill can be much more than just a nuisance. Not only can a high bill be a costly, unpleasant surprise, it generally means something is wrong. When someone experiences an unusually high water bill, that might indicate there is a plumbing issue. So if you’ve noticed a sudden spike in your water bill a plumbing problem might be the cause, and here’s why.

Possible Plumbing Problems

1. Leaks: A leak in your plumbing system can cause a steady increase in your water usage. This steady increase results in a higher water bill. Leaks can occur in various parts of your plumbing system, including pipes. It’s important to address leaks as soon as possible. The faster you address them you prevent further water waste and higher bills.  If you don’t physically see water, to pinpoint the cause of your high water bill, you can count on our team to provide leak locating services. Our plumbing professionals will pinpoint the cause of the leak and provide you with options to fix it.  You could have a slab leak, which is a pressurized water line leaking under the foundation of your home.
    
2. Leaking faucets: A dripping faucet can quickly turn into a stream and can use a surprising amount of water.  It’s important if your shower valve or faucets are leaking to have them addressed as quickly as possible.  The longer you allow faucets and shower valves to leak the less likely a repair is possible vs a replacement.  The longer faucets and shower valves are allowed to drip and leak the more the damage is to the valve and faucet body.
     
3. Running toilets: A running toilet can waste a significant amount of water, resulting in a higher water bill. This can happen if the flapper, the fill valve or the flush valve are not working properly. It’s important to fix a running toilet as soon as possible to prevent water waste and higher bills.  We’ve seen running toilets cost as much as $600.00 in wasted water, that’s almost enough to buy a great toilet!
     
4. High water pressure: High water pressure puts undo wear and tear on your pipes, appliances, plumbing fixtures and water heater.  Pipes can wear down faster and increase the risk of leaks, especially on older pipes like galvanized and polybutylene. High water pressure can also cause water to flow out of faucets and showerheads at a higher rate, resulting in higher water usage and bills, but that generally isn’t a significant jump on the water bill.
     
5. Inefficient appliances: If you have appliances that use a lot of water, such as washing machines and dishwashers, and they are not running efficiently, it can lead to higher water usage and bills.Inefficient appliances are often caused by poor water quality and hard water.
    
6. Saltwater Softener: Saltwater softeners can use a lot of water, salt softeners can waste as much as 150 gallons of water a week, amounting to nearly 8,000 gallons of water a year that is wasted in the flushing system.  If you’ve recently installed a salt style water softener you may notice an increase in your home’s water usage.  Saltwater softeners can also dramatically increase your water when they are malfunctioning by constantly flushing. When a softener malfunctions, it can easily waste thousands of gallons of water in a 24-hour period.
    
7. Reverse osmosis:  Reverse osmosis typically have a 1:1 ratio.  For every gallon of water you filter, one gallon goes down the drain.  Reverse osmosis systems when they malfunction can waste a lot of water, rather than turning off when it goes through it’s cycle it continuously runs wasting 100’s of gallons a day.
     
8. Irrigation system: An irrigation system that is not properly maintained can lead to higher water usage and bills. It’s important to check for leaks and ensure that the system is set to the appropriate watering schedule.
     

To prevent a spike in your water bill, it’s important to regularly check for leaks and address them as soon as possible. It’s also important to ensure that your appliances are running efficiently and that your irrigation system is properly maintained. If you suspect an issue with your plumbing, it’s best to consult with a licensed plumber to have it inspected and repaired. 

Services in Phoenix & Beyond

If you’re in the Phoenix area and would like an in home consultation to see which type of electric hybrid water heater is best for your home reach out, we’re happy to help. Are you facing issues with your plumbing? Feel free to “Call a Robin” and we will do our best to help. If you live in the Phoenix metropolitan area and need a salt or salt free water softener trust Robins Plumbing!

With over 20 years of experience in the plumbing industry, you can trust our professionals to deliver a professional consultation to see what solution fits best for your home. We also offer a variety of residential and commercial plumbing services, including: drain cleaning, water heater repair and replacement, sewer camera inspection and locating, backflow prevention, commercial and residential jetting, water treatments, and more. Visit our reviews online to see what others have to say about our local plumbing company!