For many homeowners in Birmingham, a water bill that’s higher than usual can be a source of frustration and confusion. While seasonal usage changes, like watering the garden in the summer, are often a factor, a sudden and unexplained increase can point to a deeper issue within your home’s plumbing system. Understanding the various plumbing factors that impact a water bill is the first step toward getting your consumption—and your costs—back under control. Here at Aquila Property Care, your local home improvement and plumbing experts, we’re here to help you identify the common culprits and find lasting solutions.
1. Leaks, Leaks, and More Leaks
This is, without a doubt, the number one reason for a high water bill. Even a small, seemingly insignificant leak can waste a staggering amount of water over time.
- Dripping Taps and Showerheads: A tap that drips once per second can waste thousands of litres of water a year. That’s a constant, silent drain on your finances.
- Running Toilets: A faulty flapper valve in your toilet tank can cause water to constantly run from the tank into the bowl. This is often silent and can waste hundreds of litres of water per day, leading to a shocking increase in your bill. You can easily check for this by adding a few drops of food colouring to the tank and seeing if it appears in the bowl without flushing.
- Hidden Pipe Leaks: The most insidious leaks are those you can’t see, located behind walls or under floors. Signs of a hidden leak include damp spots, mould growth, and a persistently running water meter even when all taps and appliances are turned off. These leaks can waste a huge amount of water and cause extensive damage to your property’s structure.
2. Inefficient Fixtures and Appliances
Older toilets, taps, and showerheads are simply not as water-efficient as their modern counterparts.
- Toilets: An old toilet can use as much as 13 litres of water per flush, while a modern, dual-flush model can use as little as 3 litres for a half-flush. The difference adds up quickly over the course of a day.
- Showerheads: Older showerheads can have a very high flow rate, using a significant amount of water in a short time. Installing a low-flow showerhead can reduce water usage by up to 50% without compromising on pressure or comfort.
These are significant plumbing factors that impact a water bill and are often a straightforward fix for a professional plumber.
3. Faulty Outdoor Plumbing
Don’t forget to check your outdoor plumbing! A leaky outdoor tap, a damaged irrigation system, or a broken sprinkler head can waste a tremendous amount of water. Soggy patches in your garden or an area of particularly lush grass can be a sign of an underground pipe leak. Keeping a close eye on your outdoor spaces is a key part of effective water conservation.
To get a better handle on your water consumption, you can perform a simple check using your water meter. Turn off all the water-using appliances and taps in your home, and then check the meter reading. Wait for an hour, and then check it again. If the number has changed, you almost certainly have a leak somewhere. For a more detailed guide on finding and fixing leaks, you can read this article on Why You Should Never Ignore a Dripping Tap.
By being proactive about these plumbing factors that impact a water bill, you can save money, conserve a valuable resource, and protect your home from potential water damage. If you’ve tried these checks and still can’t find the source of your high bill, or if you suspect a hidden leak, our experienced team in Birmingham is here to help. You can trust Aquila Property Care for all your home improvement and plumbing needs.
