Investigate a sudden water-bill increase
30 minutes · Easy · Estimated materials $0
Use the meter and quiet-house test to distinguish household use from a hidden leak.
Likely cause
Running toilets, irrigation problems and hidden supply leaks are common causes of unexplained use.
First safe check
Turn off every faucet and water-using appliance, then watch the leak indicator on the meter.
Tools and materials
Tools
- Phone camera
- Food coloring
Materials
No materials needed for the first check.
Step by step
- 1Confirm the billing period and meter reading.
- 2Stop all water use and photograph the meter.
- 3Wait 15 minutes without using water and photograph it again.
- 4Add food coloring to toilet tanks; color in the bowl without flushing indicates a leak.
- 5Check irrigation schedules, hose bibs and softener cycles.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring toilet leaks
- Comparing bills with different date ranges
- Entering unsafe confined spaces
When to call a professional
Plumbing
Most of this is yours to do. Call someone licensed if any one of these is true — it's a judgement call, not a defeat.
- You cannot find or fully close a shut-off valve.
- Water appears in a ceiling, wall, or at the base of a fixture.
- More than one drain in the house is slow at the same time.
- The repair would mean soldering or opening a main line.
General guidance only. Codes and conditions vary. When in doubt, stop and use a licensed professional.