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Why is My Water Bill So High?

An unusually high water bill can be a shock, especially if you haven’t changed your routine. If you’re asking yourself, “Why is my water bill so high?”, you’re not alone. Many homeowners experience high bills due to hidden leaks, increased water usage, or issues with their water meter.

At Three Way Plumbing, we help homeowners track down the causes of high water bills and prevent unnecessary gallons of water from going to waste. Let’s explore some common reasons your water bill is high and what you can do about it.

1. Increased Water Usage

Sometimes, the answer is simple: you’re using more gallons per day than you realize. Hosting guests, having kids home from college, or even filling a pool or hot tub can cause a spike in water usage.

On average, each person uses about 60 gallons of water per day, including:

• Flushing toilets
• Washing dishes and laundry
• Taking showers and baths
• Drinking and cooking
• Watering plants or using garden hoses

If you’ve had extra people in your home, your utility bill will naturally reflect the added demand.

2. Leaking Toilets and Ghost Flushing

A water leak in your toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water a year without you realizing it. A toilet that leaks from the tank to the bowl or ghost flushes intermittently can use an extra 40,000 gallons of water per year!

How to Check for a Toilet Leak:

1. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank.
2. Wait 30 minutes.
3. If the color appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak.

Many people replace just the flapper, but often the flush tower is also worn out. Replacing both can prevent future leaks.

3. Hidden Leaks Around Your Home

Some water leaks aren’t visible, making them harder to detect. If you’re wondering why your water bill is so high, check these areas:

• Outdoor faucets & garden hoses: A slight drip can waste hundreds of gallons over time.
• Underground water lines: Look for extra-green patches of grass or mushy spots in the yard.
• Ceilings & walls: Pinholes in pipes can cause slow leaks, leading to water stains.
• Behind the fridge: Leaks from water lines may go unnoticed as they drip into walls or crawl spaces.

If you suspect a leak but can’t find it, check your water meter. Turn off all water-using appliances and see if the meter continues to run—this indicates a hidden leak.

4. Dripping Faucets and Fixtures

A dripping faucet may seem minor, but over time, those drops add up. Even a slow drip can waste thousands of gallons of water per year, increasing your high water bill.

Fixing Leaky Faucets:

• Replace worn-out washers or seals.
• Upgrade to a water-efficient fixture.
• Call a plumber if leaks persist.

5. Issues with Water Heaters

If your water heater has a leak, you might be using more gallons of water than necessary. Also if the pressure builds up in the tank as it is heating, and the thermal expansion tank is not doing its job anymore, the pressure relief valve on the water heater will do its job and release some of the water out of the tank to reduce the pressure buildup from the hot water inside. If this continuously happens, it will continue to release a small amount of water and replace the tank with more cold water in its place.

Signs of a Water Heater Problem:

• Water pooling around the heater
• Fluctuating water temperatures
• Longer wait times for hot water

A professional inspection can help determine if repairs or a replacement are needed.

6. Irrigation Systems and Outdoor Water Use

Your irrigation system may be the culprit behind your high bills, especially during warmer months. Sprinkler heads can break, underground lines may develop leaks, or timers may run longer than necessary.

How to Reduce Outdoor Water Waste:

• Check for leaks in garden hoses and sprinkler systems.
• Water during cooler hours to prevent evaporation.
• Adjust timers based on rainfall.

7. Problems with the Water Meter

In rare cases, your water meter may be faulty, causing incorrect readings and an unusually high water bill. If you’ve checked for leaks and reduced water usage but your utility bill is still high, contact your water provider for an inspection.

What to Do If Your Water Bill is Still High

If you’ve gone through this checklist and your water bill is high with no clear reason, it’s time to call a professional. At Three Way Plumbing, we specialize in detecting water leaks, repairing older pipes, and optimizing your plumbing system to prevent waste.

Don’t let a high water bill drain your wallet—contact us today for expert solutions!

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