You probably have a good idea how much you pay each month for your water bill. You may even pride yourself on saving money by being extra careful with your water consumption. So it can come as quite a shock when your bi-monthly bill is suddenly much higher than usual.
There are 9 reasons a water bill suddenly skyrockets … Find out what they are and what to do about them.
Let’s start with a straightforward reason. Your water bill may show a sudden increase because, quite simply, your water usage has been higher than usual lately. This often occurs in summer, when folks are watering gardens, running lawn sprinklers, filling swimming pools, and just plain showering more often. Another short-term jump might occur during the holiday season, or any time that you find yourself hosting a large number of guests.
No plumbing repair is needed here. Although you’ll need to pay up, you can console yourself with the thought that the hike is just temporary.
Every home in Ottawa is equipped with a water meter to track usage. Once in a rare while, your meter malfunctions and reports an incorrect figure (though apparently, under-registering is more common than the opposite).
You can ask for your meter to be tested by the city. However, if no problem with the meter is revealed, you’ll be responsible for the cost of the testing.
This DIY test, on the other hand, is free:
Leaking toilets are an all too common plumbing problem, resulting in hundreds of litres of wasted water. To find out whether a toilet leak is responsible for your sky-high water bill, look for the following signs:
If you spot any of the above, contact a licensed plumber to fix your toilet.
Water leaks stemming from your plumbing pipes are a bit tougher to spot since they are usually inside the walls. It helps if you use your nose, as well as your eyes, to search for clues, such as:
This is a serious problem that can result in severe water damage to your home. You need emergency plumbing repair.
An underground plumbing leak may show itself in various ways. Look for any of these red flags:
INDOORS
OUTDOORS
Unfortunately, underground plumbing leaks require urgent and extensive repair. If you’re experiencing a broken water line or broken sewer line, call a plumber immediately.
Your water-softening appliance may be malfunctioning. Look for any leakage and check the setting. If the water softener is set to regenerate too frequently, it will consume more water as it flushes itself. For help setting the appliance correctly, consult the manufacturer or a reliable professional.
Regular inspection of your water heater is always recommended (it’s a good way to detect issues before they blossom into full-scale crises), but even more so when your water bills suddenly rise. Examine the hot water heater itself, as well as the floor beneath.
If you spy any leakage — or if you notice your heater is taking longer than usual to heat water, your hot water is cloudy, or the tank is rumbling or popping — call a reliable plumber.
Your floor is the first place to investigate for evidence of a washing machine leak. Leaky washing machines tend to warp or stain flooring in the laundry area. Make sure your washing machine hose is firmly attached. If that doesn’t help, get your friendly neighbourhood plumber to take care of the problem.
As with a washing machine, begin with inspecting the floor for signs of a leaking dishwasher such as stains or warpage. Then look at the cabinets and walls around the appliance for dampness or mould. Next, turn off the water supply to your dishwasher and contact us for our kitchen plumbing service.
Get your water bill (and your plumbing) back to normal with Out of This World. Our team is ready to troubleshoot your plumbing problems and expertly repair all issues.
