Why Is My Water Bill So High? Common Plumbing Problems That Could Be the Cause

We’ve all experienced that gut punch when the statement arrives showing an unexpected spike in charges. One minute you’re thinking “yeah, that tracks with my normal usage”, the next you’re wondering if they accidentally tacked on the costs for filling an Olympic-sized pool.

While water rate increases can occasionally be the culprit, most times those shockingly high bills are really just red flags that something’s amiss with your plumbing. Ignoring little drips and leaks is like flushing money straight down the drain – those small issues quickly turn into bigger problems that’ll keep draining your wallet dry.

This guide is here to expose some of the most common underground plumbing problems that could be behind your ballooning water charges. From running toilets to slab leaks and everything in between, once you identify the likely perpetrators, you can call in professional reinforcements to get it fixed before those nuisance leaks soak up all your savings. Grab a wrench and your sleuthing hat – the case of the high water bill is on!

Leaky Faucets: A Small Drip with Big Consequences

That little drip-drip-drip from your bathroom sink may seem harmless enough. But make no mistake – what seems like a minor annoyance is actually Public Enemy #1 when it comes to inflated water bills.

How Leaky Faucets Contribute to High Water Bills

Don’t let that innocent little trickle fool you – even the slowest of drips can secretly guzzle gallons upon gallons in a shockingly short timeframe. We’re talking up to 20 gallons of water wasted per day for a moderately leaky faucet. Do that math and it’s like flushing money straight down the drain.

Signs of a Leaky Faucet

Luckily, these pesky perpetrators aren’t too tricky to spot if you know the telltale signs. Obviously, any visible drips or water pooling around sink basins is a dead giveaway. But also keep an eye out for rust stains, warped cabinets, or mineral buildup around faucet bases – all clues that a slow leak may be going undetected.

Simple Fixes to Address Faucet Leaks

The good news is, most faucet leaks can be an easy DIY fix for the semi-handy homeowner. A lot of times it’s simply a matter of replacing some worn washers or tightening loose components with a wrench. For the ambitious handyperson, you can even go full Faucet Overhaul Mode by installing a whole new faucet fixture. Either way, that minor investment upfront could translate into major water bill savings down the road.

Running Toilets: Silent Water Waste

You know what’s worse than a dripping faucet? A running toilet that’s secretly wasting gallons of water behind your back. These sneaky culprits are the real champions when it comes to inexplicably high water bills.

Why a Running Toilet Increases Water Usage

Here’s the scoop – a toilet that won’t stop running and refilling the tank and bowl isn’t just an annoying noise. That constant water cycling can easily drain hundreds of gallons per day without you knowing. We’re talking potentially thousands of gallons flushed per month by one renegade toilet.

Causes of Running Toilets

There are a few usual suspects behind these water-wasting offenders. A worn flapper valve that can’t make a tight seal is often the main issue. But an improperly set float arm or corroded flush valve can also allow water to keep on flowing unchecked. Basically, anything that prevents the tank from refilling properly sets the stage for a toilet’s nonstop running game.

How to Fix a Running Toilet

The good news is, you don’t need pro plumbing skills to get this problem under control. Simply adjusting the float arm or swapping the old flapper valve is usually enough to stop the constant refilling. For a more permanent solution, you can replace the entire flush valve mechanism. It’s a minor DIY task that’ll pay you back in spades when those water bills get back to more reasonable levels.

Leaky or Burst Pipes: A Hidden Drain on Your Bill

When it comes to water-wasting offenders, sometimes the real culprits are hiding where you least expect them – behind walls, under floors, or deep underground.

Hidden Leaks Under Floors or Behind Walls

Chicagoland is full of older homes with aging plumbing just waiting to spring a leak. Those pinhole cracks or corroded pipe joints can allow gallons upon gallons to seep out undetected, especially in out-of-sight areas. 

Increased Water Usage from Burst Pipes

Of course, sometimes those pesky pipes decide to go for the dramatic, gushing flood rather than the slow drip-drip-drip. We’re all too familiar with the Windy City’s wild temperature swings and harsh winter deep freezes that can cause pipes to abruptly burst. 

Detecting and Repairing Leaky or Burst Pipes

The tricky part is, you can’t always see or hear these underground leaks. You may notice damp, moldy walls, a sudden inexplicable drop in water pressure, or a recurring warm spot on the floor as the first signs of something amiss. 

Once you realize you’ve got a leaky pipe situation, it’s best to call in professional backup to properly locate the problem areas and make a thorough fix. Patching it temporarily will only kick that can further down the road before it inevitably bursts again.

Water Heater Issues: Hidden Costs in Hot Water

Buckle up – it’s time to turn our attention to the often overlooked but mighty influential water heater.

Malfunctioning Water Heaters and High Water Bills

A faulty water heater might not seem like it could impact your water usage that dramatically, but think again. Whether it’s a small leak, sediment issues, or incorrect temperature settings, an inefficient water heater can secretly be hemorrhaging gallons upon gallons without you realizing it.

Common Water Heater Problems

There are a few typical troublemakers when it comes to water heater performance issues. Over time, sediment and mineral buildup in the tank can wreak havoc on heating elements and cause leaks. 

Speaking of leaks, a crack or hole in the tank itself is basically money gushing straight down the drain. And don’t forget about improper thermostat settings – having the temperature too high is like paying to boil away water unnecessarily.

Addressing Water Heater Inefficiencies

The good news is, most of these hot water headaches are relatively easy to diagnose and fix. An annual flush of the tank can dislodge built-up sediment and improve efficiency. For a leaky tank, you may just need to replace some anode rods or valve components. And don’t overlook simply adjusting the thermostat down to the recommended 120°F – that small tweak alone can lead to big water (and energy) savings.

Of course, sometimes a water heater is just too far gone and it’s time for a full system replacement. While the upfront cost stings, upgrading to a new, high-efficiency model can pay you back in spades via lower utility bills. Either way, getting that water heater situation under control might just be the missing piece to solving your high water bill mystery.

Leaky Outdoor Faucets and Irrigation Systems

So you’ve battened down the hatches on all the indoor plumbing problems, but those water bills are still off the charts? Time to turn your sights outside.

How Outdoor Water Leaks Add to Your Bill

It’s easy to overlook a little drip or two from the garden hose or sprinkler system when you’re not out there 24/7. But just like their indoor counterparts, those outdoor leaks can quietly go about their business guzzling hundreds of gallons undetected.

Common Issues with Irrigation Systems

Automatic sprinkler systems are a prime suspect when it comes to water waste. We’re talking broken sprinkler heads spraying full blast into the driveway instead of the garden beds. Or timers gone haywire, running the system in the middle of a downpour. Misaligned heads and improper settings can easily drain a reservoir’s worth of water into the storm drains.

Fixing Outdoor Water Leaks

Once you’ve identified the likely culprits behind your outdoor water shenanigans, it’s time for some irrigation reformation. Replacing worn-out washers or faulty hose bibs can put a stop to those constant drips and dribbles. For the sprinkler system, you may need to swap out broken heads, realign spray patterns, and adjust the timers to avoid runoff into the street.

Of course, if DIY sprinkler whispering isn’t your forte, feel free to call in the irrigation pros to do a full system audit and optimization. It’s a small investment that’ll keep your lawn looking lush without giving your water provider a chance to drip you dry.

Faulty Water Pressure Regulators

Sometimes, the real culprits behind your inflated water bills are those unassuming water pressure regulators!

How High Water Pressure Increases Consumption

When water pressure gets excessive, it causes all your plumbing fixtures and appliances to use way more water than necessary for simple tasks like flushing or washing. It’s like a fire hose when you just need a gentle stream.

Signs of a Faulty Water Pressure Regulator

So how can you tell if high pressure is your problem? Well, some telltale signs are loud banging sounds whenever you turn taps on or off, water that drains way too quickly down sinks and tubs, or sprayer heads that seem extra…spirited, let’s say. If you notice any of those clues, it’s a good bet your regulator is stuck wide open.

Adjusting or Replacing Pressure Regulators

Fortunately, reining in that high-pressure mayhem is usually a pretty straightforward fix. Those regulators have adjustable valves that can be dialed down to an efficient 50-60 psi range. Some simple DIY tuning could be all it takes to get that water flow back to a gentle trickle instead of a raging river. If the regulator itself seems too far gone, replacing the whole unit is an easy swap.

Don’t let that inconspicuous little valve be the secret super-soaker driving up your bills. A quick pressure adjustment could seriously take a load off your plumbing…and your wallet. Sometimes the smallest tweak can make the biggest difference!

Unexpected Culprits: Water Softener and Appliances

You’ve scoured every nook and cranny, but still can’t pinpoint the source of your exorbitant water bills. Well, let’s talk about some of the more unexpected water wasters.

Leaking Water Softeners

That humble water softener chugging away in your basement might seem innocent enough. But if it springs a leak or starts cycling overtime, it can drain more water than a teenager’s endless showers. They are supposed to be hyper-efficient, but any malfunction turns them into secret super soakers.

High Water Usage from Appliances

While we’re on the topic of unassuming water hogs, let’s talk about your trusty household appliances. Have an older dishwasher that never seems to get the job done on the first cycle? There’s a good chance it’s just endlessly re-running and wasting loads of water in the process. Same goes for that ancient washing machine that’s always got one sock stuck in the drain. And let’s not forget those refrigerators with the built-in ice makers and water dispensers – those can start leaking like sieves as they age.

Fixing or Replacing Water-Wasting Appliances

The good news is, a lot of these appliance issues have relatively easy fixes once you identify the problem areas. Replacing a faulty water inlet valve on the dishwasher or washing machine can stop the overflow. For the fridge, it might just be a matter of tightening up some supply line connections. 

But for real dinosaur models past their prime, it’ll likely make more sense to bite the bullet and invest in new water-efficient versions.

Drip, Drip, Drip Goes the Money: Get to the Bottom of High Water Bills

From toilets constantly refilling to sprinklers soaking the driveway, there’s plenty of plumbing problems that could be secretly running up your water costs. Don’t let those leaks and inefficiencies drain your wallet dry.

The skilled plumbers at Precision Today can thoroughly inspect every pipe and fixture to determine which culprit is causing your sky-high water bills. Call (630) 425-8995 today to get your usage back under control once and for all.