My house is about 10 years old, and my husband and I bought it three years ago. Our water bill has been normal, at least I thought it was normal, until this summer when it skyrocketed. I thought it was maybe due to the fact that my husband accidentally left the sprinkler in the backyard on for over 12 hours.
In past summers, our bill would go up to about $150 or so a month, mostly due to watering the lawn. In July this year the bill was $120...and in September it went up to $700! In October the bill was $277. I'm nervous that we've got an underground leak someplace, but I have no idea how to go about finding out. Do I contact the water company to come find it? Do I have to call a contractor? I don't see any standing water anywhere, we don't have a basement, and the garage is bone dry.
2007-11-10 03:23:51 · 11 answers · asked by wickdsinnr 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Sorry - my water bill was $700 for two months - we pay water every other month, not every month.
2007-11-10 08:09:59 · update #1
Something is very wrong here. How could you possibly be spending that amount of money on water? I’m just read my Anaheim Public Utilities bill. I paid $41.45 for two months worth of water. You spent $700.00 in one month? You really need to contact your water supplier.
To answer your question the easiest way to check for a leak is to go out to the curb and look at your water meter. Make sure that all facets are off and no one is using any household water. The meter shouldn’t be turning at all. You should see a little pinwheel that turns even when very small amounts of water are being used. If that little wheel is spinning then you need to go back into the house and shut off all the stop valves to the toilets and recheck the water meter. If it does stop the meter then you know that it is a toilet problem if it doesn’t you need to look elsewhere. I doubt if you have an underground leak, because if you did you’d see a mud hole somewhere.
Is it possible that someone has tapped into your water line and are getting their water for free when you pay the whole bill yourself?
Follow those simple tests that I mention to try to isolate the problem and if that doesn’t work contact your water supply company. They will help you isolate the problem with the least amount of money spent out of pocket. They’ll usually try to help you for free. Good luck.
2007-11-10 04:07:13 · answer #1 · answered by Dennis in Anaheim 2 · 10⤊ 0⤋
Underground Water Leak
2016-11-11 01:00:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
How should I go about checking for an underground water leak?
My house is about 10 years old, and my husband and I bought it three years ago. Our water bill has been normal, at least I thought it was normal, until this summer when it skyrocketed. I thought it was maybe due to the fact that my husband accidentally left the sprinkler in the backyard on for...
2015-08-20 14:54:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm from the U.K. and my water company are fairly good. First thing is to challenge the meter reading. Is the meter O.K? Leave the water turned off at the mains (before the meter )for a day if you can and check the reading. Then turn it on for another day but do NOT use any water, you have to use your reserve water that you would previously have stored in containers for whatever means, if you get my drift! Check your reading the following day. If it's moved you have a leak!
2007-11-10 03:39:20 · answer #4 · answered by chardy2005guy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Someone from the water company will have the equipment to detect leaks. If you did see water it doesnt always mean that is where the leak is at. I did roofing work, and the water could be pouring in quite a way from the actual damaged area.
Its worth getting someone in to check it out as it will probably save you money in the long run, and put you mind at rest. Using a proffesional tradesman is always the safest bet. Good luck!!
2007-11-10 03:30:59 · answer #5 · answered by keefbeef 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This might work is the but it does work here in the UK.
Wait till evening time when not a lot of water is being used. Then put a screwdriver on top of the cold water tap with the handle by your ear.
If you have a underground burst you will hear a roaring noise, if not sure get hubby to turn on another tap and listen to the noise.
2007-11-10 03:28:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Normally the water company is responsible for the leak if it is on the supply line opposite your incoming water line to your trailer. from the meter to your trailer the customer is responsible. As far as who pays you or your landlord, I don't know what kind of agreement you have with the landlord. If he/she is responsible for the maintenance for the trailer park property, I would say it is his responsibility to fix the leak and maybe pay for the high bill. Did you report this high bill to him/her? The tall grass could be where a leak is, but sometimes grass grows thicker and higher when you have a field line to a septic tank. I hope this info helps a little, but I would report this to the landlord asap. Ask the water company to check their lines for leaks.
2016-03-18 04:50:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call a repair man because if u do it you might mess up your houses whole water system and pumbling then you would spend a lot getting you house fixed
2007-11-10 03:27:09 · answer #8 · answered by unknown 1 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Look for a spot on the lawn where the grass is extremely green, as if watered more than the rest
2007-11-10 03:28:58 · answer #9 · answered by Jeff G 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Pressure test suspect trees in your plumbing.
2007-11-10 03:28:40 · answer #10 · answered by omnisource 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋