Why is My Water Bill so High?

Why is My Water Bill so High?

Serving Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA

While it’s normal for your water bill to fluctuate each month, if you notice a sudden spike in your water bill, you may need to contact your local plumber. This could be caused by a water leak, running toilet, or a variety of other factors. Keep reading to learn what may be causing your water bill to become so high.

Outdated Plumbing Fixtures

Many older homes come with beautiful, traditional plumbing fixtures. While they may not pose problems immediately, they tend to use more water than today’s plumbing fixtures. Inspect your home’s plumbing fixtures for a manufacturer’s date and check with a plumber to see if they can make any updates to make them more efficient.

Inefficient Water Use

Do you leave the faucet running while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing the dishes? All of this water use will add up. Try using your appliances more efficiently to help stop the spikes in your water bill.

Water Leaks

Even the smallest and slowest of drips in your plumbing can waste a lot of water. If you want to learn how much a leak can impact your home, take a look at this drip calculator from the USGS.

The best way to detect leaks is by checking your water meter.

1. Make sure no water is being used inside or outside of your home.
2. Check the water meter’s flow indicator, usually shown as a star or triangle shape. If the indicator is spinning, you likely have a leak in your plumbing.
3. Find the main water shut off valve and turn it off. With the valve closed and the water off, check the meter:
   1. If the flow indicator is not spinning, water isn’t moving through the meter and the leak is likely inside of your home.
   2. If the flow indicator is spinning, there may be a leak in the water line between the meter and valve, or an irrigation system if you have one.

If you have a water leak in your home or want help diagnosing the problem, contact a local plumber. The cost for repairs will pay itself off in lower water bills.

Running Toilet

Does your toilet continue to make a sound long after it’s been flushed? A running toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water a month, leading to a significant spike in your water bill. Look for loose seals or cracks in the tank. If your toilet is an older model, consider replacing it with an efficient low-flow model. This can save you up to 13,000 gallons of water use per year.

Leaky Toilet

To check for a leaky toilet:

1. Put a dye tablet or a few drops of food coloring in the upper tank of the toilet.
2. Wait 30 minutes (don’t flush or use the toilet during this time)
3. Watch for any color to appear in the toilet bowl–this indicates a leak

Broken Water Meter

Maybe you have none of the above and instead it’s your water meter. Sometimes water meters can read your water usage wrong. To test this, stop using every plumbing fixture in your home. Have one person monitor the water meter and another person inside. Have them fill a bucket or other large container with water. Then measure the water to see if it matches the water meter reading. If it doesn’t match, you’ll want to contact a plumbing company to take a look at your water meter.

If you can’t locate your water meter, contact your local plumber. They can help you locate it and diagnose the problem.

Water Usage/Sewer Review

Sewer charges are based on the amount of water your household used during the winter months and reflected on utility bills each year. High water consumption can affect your sewer charges.

Save money on my water bill

Want to lower your water bill? Try these techniques to easily save on your water bill!

• Repair water leaks
• Use a full dishwasher
• Wash a full load of clothes
• Reduce your shower time
• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth
• Get your water heater serviced
• Install efficient plumbing fixtures

How to lower my water bill?

No one enjoys a high water bill. Fortunately, it’s easy to lower your bill with these simple tips.

• Install low-flow showerheads
• Wash large loads of dishes
• Wash large loads of clothes
• Use a car wash instead of your home’s water
• Repair leaky faucets
• Repair leaky toilets
• Microwave or boil water to heat it instead of waiting for it to heat up out of the faucet

Plumbing Contractors in Vancouver WA

If you’re wondering why your water bill is so high, consult the plumbing experts at Clog Pro Plumbing in Vancouver WA and Portland OR. We can inspect your plumbing system, diagnose the problem(s), and make the necessary repairs to get your plumbing running smoothly once again. Contact us today for fast and dependable service. We offer 100% satisfaction guarantees!