5 Problems that Cause Your Water Bill to Shoot Up

Have you noticed a big and inexplicable jump in your monthly water bill? Not only is this type of unforeseen circumstance a financial burden, but it could also signal that there is a serious plumbing problem going on! To get ahead of any problem before it becomes a bigger issue that could require extensive and expensive repairs, it is important to know what to watch out for.

If you find a spike in your water bill or any of the following warning signs, get in touch with an experienced plumber in Rancho Cucamonga. The plumbing experts at Bobby Blue will carry out an evaluation of your property to identify the problem. Then, our team can discuss the best solutions available for your situation.

Keep reading to find out about the five most common problems that will cause your water bill to shoot up.

1. A Leaking or Running Toilet

A toilet that is left running or has a leak is the most common reason you will find a spike in your water bill.

Due to the high rate of usage of toilets in any home, a leak is quite likely to occur. Unfortunately, a leak or running toilet is not always obvious and, if left unchecked, can lead to 6,000 gallons of wasted water each month. This means possibly hundreds of dollars will be heaped onto your water bill without you even realizing it!

To check for a toilet leak, try one of these two methods:

• Listen Closely

Simple, but effective. A quick sound check could let you know if your toilet is continually running or leaking. While located near your toilet, take a few quiet moments to listen closely. If you can hear a hissing noise, this could be a leak. 

Take a look at a few other areas of the toilet as well, including the tank flatter, seals, and water line connections. Taking a few minutes to do this check could solve the mystery of your water bill.

• Carry Out a Dye Test

If you cannot hear anything or want further confirmation of a leak before calling a plumber, you can try the dye test. After removing the lid from your toilet’s tank, place a few drops of food coloring or a dye tablet into the tank. After about 10-20 minutes have passed, check the toilet bowl for dye. If there is any color in the toilet bowl, it is indicative of a leak between the tank and bowl.

To fix this type of leak, simply call one of your local plumbers in Rancho Cucamonga. A quick check by a qualified plumber will verify whether there is a leak or not, which will then be quickly fixed.

2. Leaking Faucets

As with a leaking toilet, other leaks around the house can be just as much of a nuisance—and drain on your resources! Loose or leaking faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures can let out small amounts of water that really add up over time.

This is easy to check for though since all you need to do is look around your house to see any leaks. Usually, these leaks are caused by a faulty rubber washer found within the faucet handle. Shutting off the water and replacing this rubber washer can solve your plumbing woes.

If replacing the washer does not solve your problem, you should contact a professional who will be able to better assess the situation. It may be that something else has gone wrong and needs to be replaced or fixed.

3. A Slab Leak

Unlike a leaking toilet or faucet, a slab leak can cause major damage and disruption to your home. This is a leak that occurs underground and can affect your home’s foundation. Slab leaks are often caused by a corroded pipe that needs to be replaced.

If you are worried you might have a slab leak on your property, watch for these warning signs:

• Damp Corners: if you notice that certain corners inside your home have become inexplicably damp, it could be due to a slab leak. Watch for regular dampness and call a plumber as soon as possible.
• Constant Sound of Water: after shutting off your home’s water source, listen for the sound of running water. If you can hear gurgling or a hissing sound, it means there is a water leak somewhere in your house.
• Poor Water Pressure: have you noticed your shower isn’t quite as satisfying recently and you can’t wash out shampoo or soap as easily? Your water pressure may be affected by a leak that needs to be identified and fixed ASAP.

Some slab leak repairs may require our PEX repiping services. When you have recurring leaks, it is usually time to call in the plumber to have your pipes replaced. PEX is a very convenient material because it does not deteriorate and is very durable. This piping material is also flexible and less expensive, which means you will save money while upgrading your home’s plumbing system. Replacing your old, corroded pipes will ensure that no further slab leaks occur and that the damage caused to your property is halted completely.

4. A Broken Pipe

A broken pipe will likely be very easy to recognize since it will cause a loss of water throughout the home and may even result in flooding in parts of the home. To remedy this problem, shut off your water immediately and call an emergency plumber. For Rancho Cucamonga pipe break repair, the team at Bobby Blue Plumbing has years of experience and will help you remedy this situation very efficiently. To ensure that damage is contained, you should make sure that you call our team as soon as you realize a pipe has been broken.

5. Wasteful Water Usage

Sometimes, an unusually high water bill is simply caused by irresponsible water usage. You can save a lot of water—and money—by following a few simple water saving methods. For instance, try to always shut off taps and faucets when they are not being used, keep showers short and efficient, and install environmentally-friendly showerheads that reduce water usage by over 30%.

You can never be too sure with checking leaks in your home, so call an expert today from Bobby Blue Plumbing.