We’re Sharing Nine Possible Reasons
With the price of just about everything going through the roof these days, it’s more important than ever to closely examine your monthly bills and other expenses to identify wasteful spending and potentially save money. Since we’re in the plumbing business, we thought we’d focus on your water bill.
A high water bill isn’t just a strain on your wallet. It also could be a sign that water is being wasted in your home. Finding these issues is the first step toward eliminating problems and reducing your water bill. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 10 percent of homes in the U.S. are leaking 90 gallons of water a day. The EPA also says that the average household’s leaks can amount to roughly 10,000 gallons of water wasted each year. That’s a boatload of water!
Here are nine common reasons why your water bill might be too high:
- Your toilets are leaking or running. Your toilet accounts for about 31 percent of your indoor water use and is a major leak risk. You can waste up to 6,000 gallons of water per month when your toilet runs or leaks. There are two ways to check for problems. First, just listen to your toilet. If you hear hissing, you probably have a leak. Second, add food coloring to the water in your toilet tank. Wait about 15 minutes. If the dye shows up in your toilet bowl, you have a leak.
- Your faucets or fixtures are leaking. If your faucet is leaking one drip per second, it can waste roughly 17 gallons of water a day. Make sure to visually check faucets, showerheads and other fixtures for possible leaks.
- Your washing machine or dishwasher has a leak. Do a visual check for water under these machines. And if you haven’t already, you might want to invest in a high-efficiency washing machine, which uses up to 50 percent less water than older models. Keep in mind, too, that your dishwasher uses much less water than washing dishes by hand. According to CNET, an Energy Star-certified dishwasher can save almost 5,000 gallons of water a year.
- Your lateral water line is leaking. Old pipes, cracks, an invading tree root and more can cause damage to your lateral water line, resulting in water loss. A professional plumber such as the team at Ricky Heath can help you find and fix a water line leak.
- Your outdoor sprinkler system has a leak. If your sprinkler system’s water lines are underground, it can be tricky to detect leaks without the help of a professional plumber.
- Your toilets and fixtures are old. Old plumbing can use more water because it’s worn out or not as efficient. Upgrading can help you save water and money.
- It’s summertime. Water usage typically increases in the summer when we’re washing our cars, watering our lawns or gardens and filling swimming pools. Another reason for higher summertime water use is school-aged children being home all day.
- Poor water use habits. Taking long showers, overwatering lawns, doing half loads instead of full loads in the washing machine or dishwasher and keeping the water running while brushing your teeth are all examples of wasting water.
- Your water meter is faulty. This might sound strange, but it can happen. We know because we’ve seen it. If you suspect a problem with your water meter, contact your water company because the water company is responsible for making sure your meter is accurate.
The trained and experienced plumbers at Ricky Heath will be more than happy to fix leaks or address any other plumbing problem you face. To schedule service for your Georgia home, call us at 478.298.6553 or reach out through our website.