You hear a drip coming from your shower head, or your toilet is running. You know you need to fix it, but did you know these problems could be increasing your monthly utility bill?
Take a look at some common culprits that increase your monthly utility bill — and ways to fix them:
- Plumbing Leaks. Typically, plumbing leaks are the most common reason your water bill increases. Unfortunately, most of your plumbing is located in covered or hidden areas in your home (or under it), so you may not readily see any issues. One way you may learn of a leak is an increase in your water bill. An undetected leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water a month — and you’ll pay for that.
Solution: Routinely check your plumbing fixtures for leaks — faucets, shower heads, outside water hose, and your appliances. Fix the leak as soon as possible (or have a professional help you) so it won’t turn into something bigger.
- Running Toilet. If you’ve recently heard your toilet running long after you’ve used it, you may have an issue. You may also have a toilet leak if you check your tank and the water level is higher than usual. Depending on the volume flow down your drain, a running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day — as you can imagine, that will significantly increase your utility bill.
Solution: The easiest fix for a leaking toilet is replacing the flapper in the tank. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace your toilet, especially if it is very old and uses more than 3 gallons a flush. Give us a call, and we’ll help you get your toilet running correctly.
- Old or Outdated Fixtures. Most plumbing fixtures wear out over time. If you live in an older home, you may like the charm you get with these older fixtures; however, that will wear out quickly when your water bill is higher than it should be.
Solution: We recommend replacing older fixtures with modern ones, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads, as well as kitchen and bathroom faucets.
- Broken Meter. Your water bill may be priced on what your water meter states; however, your meter can sometimes break or give an inaccurate reading. Be sure your water meter works correctly to ensure you’re only paying for what you use.
Solution: Talk to a professional to check on your water meter. We can help you take action to replace it if necessary.
Contact us for help.
Zurn Plumbing is always ready to resolve your plumbing issues, no matter how big or small they may be. Contact us to help keep your home running efficiently and prevent any excessive (or expensive) future water damage.
