Bills are never fun to receive, and they’re even less fun to pay. However, after paying a bill for so long, you can begin to anticipate the average monthly amount, making it easier for you to better manage your budget. What happens, though, when you receive a water bill that is significantly higher than normal?
A high water bill can be alarming, and not just because you have to figure out how you’re going to pay it. High water usage Jacksonville FL may be indicative of a more serious issue. Read on for some of the more common reasons for a high water bill.
- A Leaking or Running Toilet
A leaking toilet, or one that continually runs after being flushed, is the most commonly cited reason for a sky-high water bill. Toilets account for a staggering 31% of the average American home’s water usage. It should come as no surprise, then, that a running or leaking toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water per month — up to 6,000 gallons, in fact.
- Leaking Faucets and Fixtures
Leaking faucets are another huge waste of water. Though it won’t waste as much water as a running toilet, a leaking faucet can cost you as much as 17 gallons over the course of a single day. The heavier the leak, the more water you lose.
- A Broken or Leaking Pipe
Like a leaking faucet, a leaking or cracked pipe can cause you to lose tens of gallons of water a day. Unfortunately, most leaking pipes go undetected until one of two things happen: Your home develops water damage, or you receive your water bill.
- Increased Water Consumption
If everything is in good working order, the cause of your problems may very well be increased water consumption. If the kids are home more often, if you have guests over for an extended stay, if you’ve been running your water-cooled A/C unit, etc., you’re bound to go through more water.
If you received an astronomical water bill, check your toilets, fixtures and pipes. If everything checks out, it may be time to monitor the kids’ water usage.