If you don’t stay on top of your home’s plumbing system, you might get an outrageous water bill like this $23,063.01. You’re probably asking yourself if that really happened. The answer is yes, it did happen. Loretta Maddox of Dekalb County in Decatur, Georgia, received a water bill for over $23,063.01.
The Georgia homeowner said that while she had a few leaks around her property, none of them accounted for the more than one million gallons of water that the DeKalb County bill states she consumed in only the previous month. “My house would be floating down the road with all this water they’re talking about,” Maddox said. She wasn’t getting answers over the phone, so she took her complaint to the county, demanding answers.
Your Water Bill May Not Be Accurate
Most families will never see such a horrendous water bill even if they do not encounter a leak. So rest assured, even if you had a leaky pipe, took too many hot showers, or washed dishes day and night, you would still never have such a water bill. For example, when our new swimming pool was completed, it took hours and hours to fill it up. I thought the water bill would hit the roof that month, but the increase was minor. The biggest takeaway from the story is this; if you have a water bill that’s off the planet:
#1 Quickly run a water leak check in your home. You can do that by turning the water off in your home at the shutoff valve. Then check the small spinning wheel or triangle in your water meter. If the leak wheel in your meter is spinning with all your water off, you have a water leak.
#2 You can possibly spot the location of the leak by completing your own home inspection. You can start by looking for puddling around your home. Then move into your bathrooms and kitchen under the sinks. Finally, inspect walls and ceilings for any signs of water damage.
# 3 Whether you find a leak or not, you’ll need a plumbing professional to help you navigate the process.
Have Your Water Company Check Your Meter If You Feel It’s Not Correctly Reporting
The news story’s biggest lesson is ensuring your water meter works correctly. Unfortunately, it’s not unusual to have a malfunctioning water meter. If you feel your meter is not accurately reporting, then call your Municipal Water Company and have a technician come out to check your meter for accuracy.
You Can Manage Your Plumbing System From An App
Did you know you can now manage your home’s incoming water supply against water leaks? What once seemed impossible is now a reality. Think about this; you are standing in line at the grocery store when the app on your smartphone warns you that your home is experiencing a water leak in your plumbing system. Some leak detection products will allow you to shut your water off right from the convenience of your phone. In addition, the products can detect even the slightest toilet leak. You can also see if your insurance carrier will offer a discount for homeowners with the leak detector installed.
Here Are Five Companies To Help Wit Your Search:
- iQuarius
- Flo by Moen
- Leak Detector
- LeakSMART
- Early Water Leak Alert
The products connect to your incoming water supply, so it’s best to have your plumbing professional install the product in your home. The EPA has stated that 10% of the homes in the USA have a water leak in their home or irrigation system and they don even know it. Furthermore, according to the EPA’s WaterSense program, one trillion gallons of water is wasted annually.
Protect Your Water Bill From Going Up
When it comes to the plumbing side of things, Big B’s Plumbing has some maintenance solutions. However, it won’t take too much out of your day to take a few extra steps to ensure you don’t have any water leaks in your home. Look under your sinks and toilets for leaks or cracks. Look at the carpet for moisture or discoloration. Undetected leaks from a toilet could waste up to 100 gallons daily and lead to a disastrous future issue and avoidable expense. How about the faucets, showerheads, or sprinkler heads and hoses? Just a tiny opening or leak could do similar damage. As they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Consider a newer high-efficiency appliance or fixture
The United States Environment Protective Services (EPA) has a website with ideas on saving water and protecting our environment. They have many products that have met the “WaterSense” standards. The best practice is to purchase products with the WaterSense label. Additionally, do your research and replace old inefficient water-guzzling appliances and fixtures with the latest technologies. Also, look for rebates or vouchers for water-saving products to save you more money. For example, if your water heater is ten years old, think about updating to the latest energy-efficient heater. If your house is more than 50 years old, maybe you think of repiping your home.
Contact Your Local Plumber For Advice
If you are unsure how to avoid that $23,000 water bill, get advice from your friendly plumbing company, Big B’s Plumbing. We have served Temecula, Murrieta, the Greater Inland Empire, and Northern San Diego for over a decade. We know how to advise you on your home’s plumbing system. We are knowledgeable about our industry and stay well educated on the latest up-and-coming technology. Let us inform you and provide great plumbing services to your home.
