Question
My water bill is quite high. As far as I know there are no leaks in taps. What could contribute to a high water bill and how can I reduce it?
Answer
Water is one of the planets most valuable resources so it is important not to waste it. If you feel your water bill is too high, or that your consumption is more than it should be, the first thing you should is check for leaks. Often leaks are concealed or unnoticeable until you receive your bills, and then you may receive the shock of your life. Water leaking from pipes, toilets, taps and other fixtures can all contribute to a high water bill without your knowledge. Some leaks can be sporadic and require some investigation. Other leaks can be very obvious. It doesn't matter what type of leak you have, there are solutions to help you find them.
How To Detect A Leak?
When determining if you have a water leak your water meter can be the most valuable tool in detecting it. If you don’t know the location of your water meter, your local water authority should be able to direct you to its location. Once you have located your water meter you need to locate the meter dial. It should look something like this:
Make sure all water using fixtures are not in use. Check to see if the triangle or the dial on the face of the meter is moving. These are low flow indicators. If they are moving, you either have a leak or something in your home is using water. Go find it!
The places to look are toilet cisterns, taps, hot water system, garden taps – anything which you can visually inspect. If you still can’t find the leak then it is time to call a local plumber near you. You may have a burst pipe underground which could be costing you money.
At The Plumbing & Electrical Doctor you always get a free inspection when ever we attend you property. Take the opportunity to discuss the options with the local plumbers if you think you may have a leak at your place. Serving areas in Canberra, Newcastle, Central Coast, Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie, and Port Stephens.
