Why is my water bill so high?

Have you received a water bill much higher than usual?

There are certain times of the year when your water bill will fluctuate greatly and the most important thing to check (before panicking and calling your plumber) is if your monthly usage for the same month the previous year was similar. If it is, then chances are you don’t have a leaking water pipe.

If your water bill is randomly higher than normal, then go through our below list of possible reasons to help determine whether you can solve the problem yourself “DIY” or you need to call your licensed local plumber.

Reason 1: Changes in Seasons

Increases in water bills are common and sometimes it isn’t plumbing related at all. It could be as simple as a change in activities or seasons. When temperatures increase and rainfall is minimal, you can often see an increase in usage. Watering gardens and lawns will increase your water consumption and a dry summer will see this increase dramatically.

It is important to consider all these possibilities before panicking about a higher water bill than normal. And when comparing bills, always make sure you are comparing from a similar time of year with similar temperatures.

Reason 2: More People

Another simple explanation that often gets overlooked is if the number of people in your home has increased. You may have had guests staying for an extended period of time which will increase usage. It’s not just extra showers, it’s washing clothes and washing the dishes that increase water consumption.

Baths use a lot more water than showers, so if there has been a newborn or kids, these are situations to consider as to why your water bill has increased.

Reason 3: Leaking Taps and Fixtures

If, after considering the above reasons, you decide there hasn’t been any reason for an increase in water use, then you may have a burst water pipe or a leaking fixture in your home.

Start by checking all your taps for leaking faucets, shower roses and outside garden taps. Dripping taps may not seem like a lot of water wastage but if you have a couple of leaking taps it quickly adds up over a month to a large amount of water and an increase in your water bill. Toilets are another culprit; toilets can leak from the cistern to the bowl and often show no signs of a leak. You can add food dye to your cistern for a clearer sign your toilet is leaking. Pretty quickly you will notice the dye dripping into the bowl, see our blog 5 Ways to detect a water leak in your home to learn more.

Hot Water Systems are another source of water loss. If a pressure temperature relief valve leaks, and goes unnoticed, it will waste a large amount of water. This can be the equivalent of leaving a tap running.

First thing to do if you suspect you have a water leak is to turn off your water supply at the water meter. See our blog How Do I Shut Off My Water Supply to learn where and how to do this.

Then call your Local Master Plumber at Essendon Plumbing Services for a reliable service 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Reason 4: Leaking Pipes

If after checking your faucets you find no leaks, then it’s time to search for leaking pipes. Burst pipes are generally a sign of bigger problems and larger losses of water but often show signs more quickly than dripping taps. If you notice staining on your walls or ceiling, pools of water outside your home or in the garden or a hissing noise in your walls, then you may have a burst or leaking pipe.

The first thing you need to do is turn off your water supply at the water meter and call your Master plumber. See our blog How Do I Shut Off My Water Supply to learn where and how to do this.

Your licensed plumber will be able to determine the cause of your burst or leaking pipes by carrying out a few simple tests. Pressure testing water pipes, leak detection and visual inspections are all methods our plumber will use to assist in determining where you’re losing your water from and how to repair it.

Regardless of what’s causing the increase in your water bill, your local professional Melbourne plumber will be able to provide solutions and solve your plumbing problem.

Water is an extremely valuable resource and it’s environmentally important that we act quickly to resolve plumbing faults. Water leaks can cause extensive and expensive damage to your home or business if left.

If you think you have a water leak, act now! Call Essendon Plumbing Services on 1300 231 976 for a fast and reliable service 24/7, 365 days of the year.