Has Your Water Bill Gone Up? | Tips from Your Plumber in The Heights, TX

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A change in the water bill might not seem like a lot of money. However, it is important to remember that even small sums can build up over time, thus resulting in big expenses with big consequences. As such, if people living in The Heights, TX have noticed that their water bill has gone up, they should look into the cause of the change either on their own or with the help of a professional plumber.

What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of a Higher Water Bill?

For those in The Heights, TX who are curious about this particular issue, here are some of the most common causes of a higher water bill:

Dripping Faucets

Dripping faucets are one of the most common causes of higher water consumption. Sometimes, this is because someone has forgotten to fully turn them off. Other times, this is because the faucets are continuing to drip even when they have been fully turned off. 

Fortunately, if there is an upside to dripping faucets, it is that interested individuals should have no problems checking for this particular plumbing problem even without having a professional plumber on hand. After all, checking for dripping faucets is as simple as turning off a faucet before looking to see if it is still dripping water in spite of this.

Running Toilets

Toilets use up a huge volume of water even when they are running properly. Never mind when they have some kind of problem that is causing them to run on a continuous basis. There are a number of potential problems that can cause a running toilet. However, one of the most common is some kind of issue with the flapper of the toilet. For those in The Heights, TX who are unfamiliar, the flapper is the device used to create a seal on the water holding tank of the toilet. When someone pushes the handle, the flapper is raised so that the toilet will flush. After which, when the flapper is restored to its previous position by the incoming water, the seal is restored. As such, issues with the flapper is a very common cause for running toilets.

In some cases, interested individuals will be able to detect the issue of a running toilet by just listening for the telltale sound of flowing water. However, that isn't foolproof, which is why they might want to look into some of the other potential options as well. One excellent example involves food coloring. Simply put a few drops of food coloring into the water holding tank before waiting a while. Afterwards, check the toilet bowl to see if any of the food coloring has managed to make it in even without someone flushing the toilet. If that is the case, it is clear that the flapper hasn't produced a watertight seal for whatever reason.

Leak

Leaks can happen in a wide range of locations for a wide range of reasons. For example, the improper installation of a water heater can cause water to come out in places where it shouldn't be coming out. Likewise, it is possible for tree roots to break into underground pipes because while they are slow, they are much more powerful than what a lot of people would expect. 

With that said, while leaks are so varied in nature, there is a simple way to check for the presence of a leak somewhere in the plumbing system. First, turn off the faucets. Second, turn off the main valve. Third, wait for about five minutes. Fourth, check the water meter dial to see if it is still moving. If the water meter dial is still moving, that is a good reason to believe that there is some kind of leak somewhere in the plumbing system. At which point, what remains for interested individuals is to find it before fixing it.

How Can You Check for a Problem with Your Plumbing System?

Theoretically, people in The Heights, TX can find problems with their plumbing system even without the help of a plumber. In practice, this is much easier said than done. In part, this is because interested individuals don't have the same expertise, experience, and equipment as a plumber, meaning that they are going to use up a great deal more time, effort, and other resources even if they prove to be successful with their search. However, it should also be mentioned that it is perfectly possible for leaks to appear in places such as, say, the underground, which interested individuals can't access under normal circumstances. As such, if they conduct a search but can't find the source of their plumbing problem because it is out-of-sight, they are going to find it to be a very frustrating experience.

Under these circumstances, when someone in The Heights, TX doesn't have a clear idea where the problem in their plumbing system is located, they should call for a professional plumber. Not only will this save them a lot of time and effort by enabling them to focus on their normal activities, this will also provide them with the best chances of seeing a fast resolution because skill and training matter a lot when it comes to the ultimate outcome of plumbing. This is particularly true because a plumber isn't just someone who finds plumbing problems but also someone who solves them. As a result, once the plumber has found the plumbing problem, they can proceed to the follow-up steps without the need for any further complications.

Contact Us

Need a plumber but remain unsure about how to choose the right plumber for the right case? contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of NW Houston to speak with one of our representatives, who are ready to help interested individuals get a clear idea of what they need as well as why they should choose us for their plumbing needs. In this way, we strive to ensure that our clients are properly informed so that they can protect their interests in the best way possible under the circumstances.