It seems like the cost of running a house in Hamilton is just continuing to rise every time a bill comes in, but how do you know if you’re paying the amount you should be? What if your water bill is higher than usual – is there a way to determine if you can reduce your bill, or is this just the cost of running your home? If you notice that your water usage is much higher than normal, there could be a few causes for that, and here’s what you need to know.
Your family has been using more water
It is worth taking a moment to consider if your family may be using more water than they previously did. In the summer, if your family is home more during the day, they may use more water because they are at home more. Or maybe it was a dry summer and you used a lot of water on your garden and lawn.
Additionally, consider if you have purchased a new appliance lately. Sometimes a change to an appliance in your home can mean you are using more water than you previously did. Furthermore, if you have had relatives staying with you, or maybe just more people in your home than normal, this could also increase your water bill.
Plumbing issues
If you are sure there haven’t been any lifestyle changes or new appliances in your home that could contribute to the increased water use, then it is time to consider that your Hamilton home may have a plumbing issue. Even small plumbing issues can add up to a lot of extra water use over time. A running toilet or dripping faucet can add up to thousands of extra gallons each month.
Take a look around your home for these problems that are easy to spot, and see if there is anything that needs to be fixed.
Leaking toilet or fixtures
Even if you don’t have a toilet that’s running or making phantom flushing noises, it could be leaking. Take a look around your home to see if you notice any water pooling or moisture in areas there shouldn’t be.
You may not be able to determine if you have a leaking toilet just by looking at it. Instead, you will need to do a little test involving food colouring. Take some food colouring, put 6 – 7 drops into the toilet tank, and wait for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, check the water in the toilet bowl, and if it has changed to the colour of the food colouring, then you likely have a leak in your toilet.
The leak problem might be as easy as replacing the toilet flapper, which requires a quick visit to the local hardware store. In more extreme cases, you might need a new toilet.
Main water line leaking
There is a water line that comes from the main city source and brings water into your home. If there aren’t any signs of something leaking inside your home, the problem could be with the main water line.
This situation is far less common than something leaking inside your home, but it can happen. Locating an issue with the main water line can be challenging because you won’t notice a loss in pressure or temperature changes. Plus, the main water line will be buried in your front yard, making it impossible to inspect the water line visually. To detect any leaks in your main water line, a professional must use special tools to detect the problem.
Contact Wentworth Plumbing today
If you have leaky taps or plumbing fixtures that need repair or unexplainably high water bills, we are here to help. Call us today to arrange a visit from one of our experienced plumbers.