Most people who pay a water bill simply go through the motions each month without taking a closer look at their statements. By comparing your bills to previous months, you can spot changes in costs and better understand if something may be wrong with your plumbing system.
As summer rolls into Austin, TX, water usage often increases due to extra guests, appliance use, and more, but that increase should still remain within a reasonable range. In this blog, we’ll break down what sudden spikes in your water bill can mean and how to handle them.
Hidden Leaks
One of the main causes of a spike in your water bill comes from hidden leaks in your plumbing system. Hidden leaks can be located in your sinks, toilets, slab leaks, and underground pipes, and if they’re not visible, costs can add up. As stated above, many Texans also have outdoor pools, and hidden leaks in those systems can quickly add up, reflecting on your water bill when it’s too late.
Dripping Faucets
Dripping faucets are a small way to add money to your water bill quickly. By ensuring that all faucets are securely turned off, you can be sure that water bills are reasonably priced. While this might be an easy fix, a drippy faucet could be a result of a worn out O-ring, damaged washers, or corroded valve seats. These issues can be quickly diagnosed with one of Redbuds professional plumbers making a quick visit to assess the issue in your Austin, Texas home.
Running Toilets
Running toilets are one of the fastest ways that your water bill will increase. Running toilets are caused by a faulty fill-valve, worn-out flapper, or improperly adjusted float and cause the toilet bowl to continuously fill with water, even when it’s not being flushed. The constant stream of water forces hundreds of gallons of water into your toilet per day, causing a steep spike in your water bill. To prevent this, occasionally check for hissing sounds in your toilet or look for movement in the bowl.
Appliance Issues
A large factor that may be contributing to an increase in your water bill is appliance issues, specifically issues with your dishwasher, water heater, and washing machine. These appliances run efficiently off of the water supply, so when they are not working correctly, they use large amounts of water and stop working as effectively. If your appliances have been giving you lackluster results and your bill continues to increase with no explanation, a professional opinion from Redbud Plumbing might be what you need to discuss the next steps.
Increased Guests
While all these reasons sound scary, one of the most important things to remember is if you’ve had guests in the past month. Having guests in your home means that your water usage is increased, and your bill will reflect it. There is nothing to be done about this, but being mindful of your habits can be a good practice for understanding costs and practicing effective water use.
Why Choose Redbud Plumbing in Austin, Texas
At Redbud plumbing, we believe that our customers are deserving of honest, reliable services, and we are here to help. Being locally owned and operated, we value serving those in the Austin, Texas community and are confident in our ability to provide you with the highest quality plumbing services, no matter what they are.
To learn more about our specific services, click here. If you believe there is something wrong with your plumbing system but aren’t sure where to begin, contact us today and we will provide you with our expert services in a timely manner.
