Why Is My Water Bill So High?
A sudden spike in your water bill usually means a hidden leak, a running toilet, or a change in usage. Here's how to find the cause — including the silent leaks that waste the most.
If you’ve noticed a sudden spike in your water bill, the most common culprits are hidden leaks, a running toilet, or a change in household water use. The tricky part is that the biggest water-wasters are often silent — so here’s how to track down the cause.
The usual suspects
A running or leaking toilet. This is the number-one hidden water waster. A toilet that runs constantly, or whose flapper leaks silently, can waste hundreds of gallons a day without a sound. To test: add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing — if color appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.
Hidden leaks. A dripping fixture, a leak inside a wall, an underground line, or a slab leak can quietly run up your bill. The sound of running water when everything is off, or a warm spot on the floor (a hot-water slab leak), are clues.
Irrigation leaks. A cracked sprinkler line or a stuck valve can waste large amounts, especially in warmer months.
A change in usage. More people in the home, seasonal lawn watering, a new appliance, or houseguests can legitimately raise usage.
How to check for a leak
Use your water meter as a detective tool: turn off all water inside and outside, then watch the meter. If it’s still moving, you have a leak somewhere. This simple test, which we can walk you through, confirms whether the problem is a leak versus increased usage.
What to do
Start with the toilets (the food-coloring test) and visible fixtures. If the meter shows movement with everything off, you likely have a hidden leak that needs professional detection — we locate these without tearing up your home using non-invasive equipment.
When to call a professional
If your meter moves with everything off, you hear running water, or you suspect a slab or underground leak, call for leak detection. Finding and fixing a hidden leak early stops both the water waste and any damage it’s causing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a hidden leak? Check your meter with all water off — if it moves, there’s a leak. A sudden, unexplained bill increase is another strong sign.
Can a running toilet really raise my bill that much? Yes — a constantly running toilet is one of the biggest silent water-wasters, capable of wasting hundreds of gallons a day.
Can you find a leak without damaging my home? Yes. We use acoustic and other non-invasive tools to pinpoint hidden and slab leaks before opening anything up.
A high water bill is often a fixable leak in disguise. Explore our leak detection service, or contact us 24/7.
This is a sensitive topic only in the sense of cost — general guidance here; have a licensed professional confirm any hidden leak.