Are You Dealing With Abnormally High Water Bills?

A tiny fluctuation in your water bill isn’t uncommon. In fact, many people observe a few dollar higher or lower bills in different season.

However, if you notice a sudden hike in your water bill, you have something to worry about. Most probably, there is a water line leak responsible for these costs.

The problem is determining which of the several covered and uncovered water pipes are leaking or damaged. Well, first look at the most probable area of your house: Toilet!

Finding A Water Leak

You’ll see water around your toilet, or will hear it sprinkling on the wall. You may also notice that the toilet takes longer to refill than it normally does.

An incorrectly installed washing machine can also leak. Leaks in such appliances are easy to notice. If a lose pipe is responsible for the leak, then it can be easily fixed.

What if the leak isn’t in the toilet? Other leaks can be difficult to detect. You may hear water dripping but find no visible leaks. Any pipe may be damaged which can be inside the walls or in the foundation of your house.

Such a leak can not only result in a hike in your water bills, but also cause mold. It also risks damaging the walls or the foundation of your home.

This is why you need to confirm that a pipe is leaking. But without any visible signs, how can you confirm?

Detecting a water leak

Your house’s water meter can help you diagnose a leak. But you must know where the meter is fixed. Found it?

Now turn off all the water sources of your house. All the faucets in the kitchen, toilet and bathtub must be shut down. Also, switch off all the appliances that utilize water.

Now check the meter reading on the dial. Note it down somewhere so you don’t forget. Wait at least two hours and check again. Make sure no one uses any water fixture during this time.

If the reading increases without using water, then it indicates that water is leaking from your house’s water lines. This confirms that your house has a leakage which needs to be fixed.

We recommend that you don’t ignore this problem, as even minor leaks can cause severe damage over time. Call our Columbia plumbing service today to get it fixed. From water line repairs to replacements, our plumbers take care of everything!