As we all know, utility bills account for a good chunk of change in the operation of a house. Your water bill is a significant utility cost in almost any city, so it’s important we be as efficient as possible when using water in our homes. However, every once in a while we might see a spike or costs escalating over time.
If this has occurred to yours, one of the first things to consider is whether you’ve had changes in your water use. Did you have house guests using showers more frequently or perhaps watering the lawn has increased? Summer gardeners will see higher bills, particularly if the season is dry. Whatever the reason, you’ll want to check it out before you bill spirals out of control.
Here are a few common reasons why you may be experiencing higher than average costs.
Leaking Toilet
The most common cause for seeing a spike in your water bills is due to continuous running water from your toilet. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day and double a family’s typical use of water.
Check for a deteriorated or defected flush valve ball (flapper) at the bottom of the tank to make sure that it is forming a tight seal; otherwise, water will leak into the toilet. Also, check for an improperly adjusted or broken fill (ballcock) valve. You can check for this by taking the lid off the toilet take, flushing and watching to see if water is draining into the overflow tubes when the tank is full.
Tip: For real efficiency, newer toilets offer a much lower number of litres per flush.
Leaking Faucets
The second most common reason for higher water bills is due to leaky faucet fixtures. Obviously, the heavier the leak, the more water wasted and higher water costs results. As an example, a leaking faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can result in more than 20 gallons a day lost or 3,000 gallons of water wasted each year!
Leaking faucets often happen due to being improperly closed, or a washer that is worn out. If you’re turning the taps entirely off, and the dripping persists, a professional can come and replace your washer in no time.
Underground Leaks
With regards to under your home, check outdoor spigots and crawl spaces. Also, look for wet spots in your yard which might be an indicator that there is a leak somewhere.
With regard to irrigation systems, it’s common to use a lot more water in the summertime, but automated irrigation systems should be checked to make sure they are functioning correctly with no leaks or broken sprinkler heads. Broken sprinkler heads can lead to a steady dripping of water which will increase your water usage and costs. Additionally, make sure your programming is correct so that sprinklers are not watering too often and too long, this also will add additional cost and water waste.
Keep a Check on Water Usage
Keeping your water usage in check and maintaining an efficient operating system at home isn’t that difficult. The secret to reducing your water usage and costs is to check around the house for these common offences. When you do discover a problem, get it repaired and functioning properly to ensure that this precious commodity is not going down the drain.
Plumbers in Oakville
Contact A. McKenna Plumbing today as you local plumbers in Oakville, Ontario. We are available 24/7 to fix any toilet, pipe and faucet leaks you may have.