Why Is My Water Bill So High?
You never want to experience sticker shock, whether after a nice meal or after purchasing a new vehicle that came in at a higher price than you expected. If there’s anything worse than that type of sticker shock, though, it’s one that just keeps coming! If you find yourself cringing each and every time your water bill arrives in the mail, then something is wrong. No, water isn’t going to come into your home for free if you’re getting it from a public supply.
Still, that does not mean that you should be willing to pay an excessive price tag for the water that you use. If your water bill is consistently too high, then there is almost certainly something wrong causing those high bills. This does not necessarily mean that you have a plumbing issue in need of repair, mind you. More on that below. However, it is definitely possible that you require professional plumbing repairs.
Check Your Water Usage Habits
This is a big one, and it’s one that a lot of homeowners really don’t like to hear. We have to ask the question, though—are you using water mindfully in your home? And are you sure that everyone else in your home is doing so as well? Because oftentimes, the root of the problem isn’t with the plumbing distributing water throughout the house, but rather with how inhabitants of that house are using the water.
Showers that stretch out longer and longer, failure to shut off water when not in use during periods of brushing teeth or doing the dishes, excessive watering of plants—all of this adds up. No, no single contribution is going to drive your water bill up in a huge spike, but if this is the norm in your home then you are in for a frustrating time. Talk to your family, take notes of your own habits, and implement some simple changes. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can get your bills in check.
Still No Change? Then Repairs May Be Needed
Well, it’s not like my ceiling is collapsing due to a leak, and my lower level isn’t flooded. Everything seems fine to me. This is exactly the type of attitude that allows homeowners to slip into the habit of paying too much for the water that they use. Because they’re not taking into account the cost of the water that they’re not using!
Yes, of course a major leak like that is going to result in high water costs. But you’re not going to ignore a leak like that. It’s not going to be a chronic issue. That toilet that never stops running, or that faucet that never stops dripping, on the other hand? That is going to continue wasting water if you don’t take it seriously.
Drips become gallons, and that becomes dollars! Take care of problems early on for long term savings.