A higher water bill does not automatically mean you have a leak. Start by comparing gallons used, the number of billing days, current rates and any balance carried forward.
If your water use rose without an explanation, a leak is worth checking. Here are seven places to look, from a running toilet to a change in your irrigation schedule.
If you can safely read your meter, record the reading before and after a two-hour period when no water is used. Make sure irrigation, appliances and other automatic water uses are not running during the test.
A change can indicate a leak or another water use that needs investigating. The test does not tell you where the problem is.
1 Running Toilet
A toilet can leak from the tank into the bowl without an obvious running sound. The amount wasted depends on the leak, so the effect on your bill will vary.
Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, water is leaking through; flush afterward to help prevent staining. The cause may be a flapper, fill valve or another component, so identify the fault before buying parts.
2 Dripping Faucet
A faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons per year. Most people ignore a dripping faucet because it seems minor, but over a full year it's a meaningful chunk of your water bill. A worn washer or O-ring is usually the culprit and it's a quick fix. If you have multiple dripping faucets the waste adds up fast.
3 Leaking Water Service Line
An underground service-line leak may show up as unexplained wet ground, a soft spot or a change in water pressure. Whether it affects your billed usage depends on where the leak is relative to the meter.
Meter locations and responsibility for service lines vary by utility. Check with your provider and have a suspected leak assessed rather than assuming a wet area identifies the exact pipe or fault.
4 Leaking Outdoor Spigot or Irrigation
Outdoor spigots and irrigation systems are easy to forget about, especially after summer. A spigot that doesn't fully shut off, or an irrigation line with a cracked fitting underground, can run water continuously without being obvious. Check all your outdoor spigots by feeling around the connection point for moisture, and inspect your irrigation system at the start of each season.
5 Water Heater Temperature-and-Pressure Relief Valve
The temperature-and-pressure relief valve, or T&P valve, is a water-heater safety device. Dripping or discharge needs professional assessment because the cause may involve the valve, water pressure or thermal expansion.
Look for visible water only from a safe, dry location. Do not touch the valve or discharge to test its temperature, and never cap or plug the outlet or discharge pipe.
6 Hidden Pipe Leak Inside Walls or Slab
Water stains, unexplained dampness, a musty smell or the sound of running water when fixtures are off can warrant investigation. These signs alone do not establish the source.
A plumber can assess the symptoms and explain the next diagnostic step. Some problems require opening a wall or another access area, so agree on that work and its charge before proceeding.
7 Seasonal Usage You Forgot About
Did you fill a pool, water the lawn more often or have guests staying? Compare those changes with your bill's usage period.
Irrigation use depends on the number of zones, their flow rates and how long they run. Check the schedule and available meter or controller data instead of relying on a single “typical” amount for Kansas City.
What To Do Next
Start by comparing the bill and checking for changes in use. Then use the meter and toilet tests above to investigate unexplained consumption.
If you suspect a service-line or concealed leak, call Poor John's to discuss an assessment. We will explain any chargeable diagnostic work, including opening a wall if needed, before you approve it, then discuss repair options and pricing.
Suspect a Leak? Call Poor John's.
Talk with us about the symptoms and the next step. We explain the proposed work and pricing before you approve it.