Common Reasons For A High Water Bill in the Greater Sacramento Area
Many of us know the importance of conserving water as it’s crucial for the environment and our wallets. However, occasionally, you may notice an unusually high water bill due to leaks and issues with your plumbing systems. A high water bill indicates that water is going to waste somewhere in your home. That’s why tracking down the cause and fixing it as soon as possible is essential. If you live in Sacramento or the surrounding areas, you can rely on Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning to fix your plumbing problems whenever they occur and help save water and money. This article lists some of the common reasons for a high water bill in your home.
Leaky/Running Toilets
A leaky or running toilet is the most common culprit for a high water bill in your home. Generally, a runny toilet will continue to run even after flushing. A leaky toilet can quickly drain hundreds of gallons daily, causing a severe spike in your monthly water bill. The most common cause of a leaky toilet is a damaged flush valve. If you’re a bit handy, you may be able to fix it, but it’s best left to a professional.
Leaky Faucets Fixtures
A leaky faucet is similarly common and can quickly increase your water bill if ignored. If you have one or several sink faucets, bathtub faucets, or showerheads dripping, you could be wasting a lot of water. A drip per second translates to 17 gallons of water lost in a day. Fortunately, faucet leaks are easy to detect and fix. Carefully inspect for wet faucets when the sink is not in use. The most common cause of a faucet leak is a faulty or worn-out rubber washer in the faucet handle. To fix the problem, shut the water down on the leaky faucet, unscrew the handle, remove the bad washer and replace it with a new one. Again, if you’re unsure how to do it, call a plumber to help.
Irrigation Leaks
If you own an irrigation system for your landscaping or gardening, a loose joint or line crack can cause water to leak even when the system is off, causing water wastage. Locating such leaks can be tricky and time-consuming, especially if the irrigation system lines are buried out of sight. To spot these leaks, you may need to check your lawn for unusually wet patches or areas in the grass that look healthier than the surrounding areas.
Leaky Washing Machines or Dishwashers
Many people never notice the washing machines leak until they’re slapped with a high water bill. If improperly placed, washing machine drain pipes can drain clean water from the machine during laundry cycles without you knowing. This is more common in top loader machines where the drain pipe needs to be placed at least 30 feet above the floor. Dishwashers can also cause water wastage if they’re leaking or when clogged. If you’re unsure which of the appliances is leaking, contact Ace Plumbing, and we will be happy to help.
Old, Outdated Fixtures Toilets
Many homes in Sacramento are still using the old, outdated fixtures. Most of these fixtures cause water to leak as they break down. If you haven’t started replacing your old fixtures with modern, eco-friendly, and efficient ones like the new model aerators or the low-flow water-saving toilets, you could be wasting a lot of water even without leaks.
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