What to Do When the City Flags High Water Usage (And How to Call in the Experts)
Receiving an unexpected high water usage notice from the city or opening a surprisingly high utility bill is usually the first warning sign of a hidden plumbing leak. Whether it's an underground line fracture, a subtle slab leak, or an issue within your walls, unaddressed lea ks waste thousands of gallons of water and risk severe structural dama ge. First Steps: What You Can Spot Before Calling a Plumber While complex leak detection requires specialized equipment, keeping an eye out for these early red flags helps you catch issues before major water damage occurs: Check Your Fixtures & Toilets: Running toilets and dripping faucets are two of the most common causes of high water bills. Watch for Hot Spots or Damp Areas: Warm spots on your flooring, wet patches on dry yard turf, or unexplained damp spots on baseboards indicate an active leak beneath your foundation or inside walls. Know Your Main Shut-Off: Locate your home's main water valve so you can quickly isolate the ...