Water consumption, why is my water bill so high?

If your water bill is larger than usual there could be a number of factors contributing to high water consumption.

Common reasons for high water consumption

• Time of year. We tend to use more water in the warm months so make sure you are comparing your bill to the same time last year, not just the last bill. You may see a pattern in your water usage throughout the year where some bills are bigger than others.
• More people at home. If you’ve had guests staying or lots of visitors you may see an increase in your water bill, you may be surprised at how much those extra flushes, showers and washing of the pots can add up to an increased amount of water used!
• An undetected leak. Even a leaking tap can use up to an additional 20,000 litres of water a year, so it is important to check for hidden leaks if you notice a substantial rise in your water bills and can’t put your finger on why it is likely you have a hidden leak lurking. Checking for and fixing hidden leaks could literally save you bucket loads of water and cash each year!

Signs of leak

1. Noisy from plumbing. If your plumbing is making unusual sounds when you turn taps on or flush toilets it may signal air in the pipes and/or a leak.
2. Funky smells. A consistent damp smell is one of the first noticeable signs of a leak. Dampness causes mould to grow behind walls and under carpets which means it never fully dries, resulting in a funky smell that you won’t be able to miss.
3. Spots on carpets or stains on walls. If you have water spots or soggy puddles on the carpets or water marks appearing on walls or ceilings with no other explanation then you can be quite confident you have a leak. This needs to be addressed quickly as water damage can start to impact the structural integrity of the home.
4. Green grass patches. If certain spots of your lawn are thriving and the other is a dustbowl, you may have an underground leak.
5. Chipping paint or wallpaper. If paint is starting to bubble or chip off your walls, or wallpaper is peeling then it is a sign that moisture is getting trapped between it and the wall.

Investigating high water consumption and bills

By having your plumbing looked over every once in a while by a qualified plumber, you should be able to steer clear of any plumbing problems and address any minor ones sooner rather than later.

If you’ve noticed your water bills rising for no logical reason, contact AMS Plumbing today. We can check for any hidden leaks or issues that may be causing your usage to be higher than usual.