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There’s nothing more frustrating than opening your utility bill and realizing your water usage has skyrocketed — especially when nothing about your household routine has changed. If your bill suddenly jumped, something is causing water waste somewhere in your home, and catching the issue early can save you from expensive repairs and even higher bills.
Below are the most common reasons your water bill may have spiked — and what you can do to fix them before the problem (and the bill) gets worse.
1. Silent Toilet Leaks
Toilets are the #1 source of unexpected water usage in most homes.
A slow-running or leaking toilet is easy to miss because the water loss often happens quietly inside the tank. A single leaking toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day — that’s like flushing money down the drain.
How to check:
Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank. Wait 10–15 minutes without flushing. If the color appears in the bowl, you have a leak.
What to do:
Replace the flapper or fill valve. If you’re unsure, a professional can diagnose and fix the leak quickly.
2. Hidden Pipe Leaks
Not all leaks are obvious. Sometimes pipes behind walls, under sinks, or beneath the slab can crack or develop tiny pinhole leaks. These leaks can go unnoticed until the damage is severe.
Warning signs include:
Warped flooring
Damp drywall or bubbling paint
Unexplained mold or mildew smells
What to do:
Turn off all water inside and outside your home. Check your water meter. If it’s still moving — even slightly — you likely have a leak and should call a plumber immediately.
3. Dripping Faucets and Showerheads
A faucet that drips once per second can waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year.
How to fix it:
Most dripping fixtures need a simple part replacement like a washer or cartridge — a quick and inexpensive repair that can make a big difference in your bill.
4. Changes in Household Water Usage
Sometimes the spike isn’t due to a plumbing problem, but a temporary change in water habits. This includes:
Houseguests increasing laundry, dishes, showers
Seasonal lawn watering or pool filling
Running appliances more frequently
What to do:
Track your water usage for a month. If the increase doesn’t match your household activity, something else is wrong.
5. An Irrigation or Outdoor Leak
Sprinkler systems are notorious for wasting water due to cracks, broken sprinkler heads, or underground leaks.
Warning signs:
Soggy patches in your yard
Moss or unexpected greenery in one area
Higher bill during irrigation season
What to do:
Inspect your sprinkler system and hose connections. Repair or replace damaged heads.
6. A Running Water Softener
If you have a water softener, a malfunctioning cycle or stuck valve can cause constant running water — and a sudden, dramatic increase in usage.
Don’t Wait — Stop Water Waste Before It Gets Worse
If your water bill spiked unexpectedly, something is wrong — and the longer you wait, the more expensive the damage becomes. The fastest way to get answers is to bring in a licensed plumber who can pinpoint and fix the issue.
Contact Mike's Plumbing of Southwest Florida today at (239) 208-0274 to schedule an inspection or leak detection service.
We’ll find the cause of your high water bill and stop the waste — fast.