Toilet and Faucet Leaks

The most common cause for a high water bill is running water from your toilet. A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day or more. Some leaks are easy to find, such as a dripping faucet or running toilet. You can usually hear a running toilet, but not always. See the toilet assessment below for help in determining if this is the cause of your high water bill. Routinely check your plumbing and home for leaky faucets, toilets, and outside taps and irrigation lines.

• Do-It-Yourself Toilet Assessment 
  First, check for the most common leak: a deteriorated or defected flush valve (flapper) ball at the bottom of the toilet tank. If it does not make a tight seal, water will leak into the toilet bowl. To check for this, take the lid off of the tank behind the bowl, flush the toilet, then wait for it to fully refill. Next, put a few drops of dye or a colored dye tablet in the tank. Wait at least 20 minutes and longer if you suspect it is a small leak. If there is any color in the toilet, there is a leak.

The second most common type of leak has to do with an improperly adjusted or broken fill (ballcock) valve. To check for this, take the lid off of the toilet tank, flush, and see if water is draining into the overflow tubes when the tank is full.

Outdoor and Underground Leaks

Leaks can also occur in harder to find places, such as under your house or in the service line between your water meter and your home. Check outdoor spigots and crawl spaces, and look for wet spots in your yard, which may indicate a leak.