Has your water bill significantly increased recently? If so, you might be wondering why your water bill is suddenly so high. There are quite a few reasons your water bill could have gone way up. Let’s take a look!

• 1. Leaky or running toilet – Toilets account for about 30% of the indoor water use in the average American home. A runny or leaky toilet can waste as much as 6,000 gallons of water in just a single month and can add hundreds to your water bill. Check your toilet for excessive running and check for any leaks behind or around the toilet to rule out this issue.
• 2. Irrigation leaks – If you have an outdoor irrigation system, this is a possible culprit for your high water bill. Temperature fluctuations can cause line cracks or loose joints that leak, even when the system is turned off. Look for soggy patches in your lawn to determine if this might be the cause of your high water bill.
• 3. Leaking faucets or fixtures – Leaky faucets are another common cause of high water bills. A faucet that leaks one drop per second can waste as much as 17 gallons of water in a day. Visually inspect your faucets, showerheads and fixtures to check for any leaks that could be causing your increased water cost.
• 4. Leaking appliances – Appliances that use water such as your washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator can also be the culprit of leaks that impact your water bill. These leaks might be harder to find as they can occur behind or underneath the appliance where you aren’t able to see. If you think one of your appliances might be leaking, it’s important to find the source of the leak.
• 5. Household guests or household changes – If you have guests stay with you or you have a new (or returning) member join your household, your water usage will change. If simply a guest or two stayed with you, you should see your water bill return to normal after they leave. If you have a new permanent member of your household, you might need to talk with them about water conservation to keep your bill within reason.
• 6. Seasonal changes – Sometimes your water bill can fluctuate with the seasons. For example, in the summer, kids are home from school and generally using more water during the day than they do during the school year. You also might be watering lawns and plants more often or even filling pools. All of these factors can cause your water bill to go up for the season.

Has your water bill gone way up? If so, check out these common causes of increased water bills. If you find a problem or leak that needs a fix, Carolina Cool has the plumbing experts to help with your leak. Just give us a call!