Why Is My Water Bill So High?
A sudden spike in your water bill usually means a hidden leak, a running toilet, or a change in usage. Here's how to track down the silent water-wasters.
If you’ve noticed a sudden spike in your water bill, the most common culprits are hidden leaks, a running toilet, or a change in household water use. The tricky part is that the biggest water-wasters are often silent — so here’s how to track down the cause.
What usually causes a high water bill?
A running or leaking toilet. This is the number-one hidden water waster. A toilet that runs constantly, or whose flapper leaks silently, can waste hundreds of gallons a day without a sound. To test: add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing — if color appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.
Hidden leaks. A dripping fixture, a leak inside a wall, an underground line, or a slab leak can quietly run up your bill. The sound of running water when everything is off, or a warm spot on the floor (a hot-water slab leak), are clues.
Irrigation leaks. A cracked sprinkler line or a stuck valve can waste large amounts, especially in warmer months.
A change in usage. More people in the home, seasonal lawn watering, a new appliance, or houseguests can legitimately raise usage.
How do I check for a leak?
Use your water meter as a detective tool: turn off all water inside and outside, then watch the meter. If it’s still moving, you have a leak somewhere. This simple test, which we can walk you through, confirms whether the problem is a leak versus increased usage.
What to do
Start with the toilets (the food-coloring test) and visible fixtures. If the meter shows movement with everything off, you likely have a hidden leak that needs professional detection — we locate these without tearing up your home using non-invasive equipment.
When to call a professional
If your meter moves with everything off, you hear running water, or you suspect a slab or underground leak, call for leak detection. Finding and fixing a hidden leak early stops both the water waste and any damage it’s causing.
A high water bill is often a fixable leak in disguise. Explore our leak detection and plumbing services, or contact us 24/7.
General guidance only; have a licensed professional confirm any hidden leak.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know if I have a hidden water leak?
- Turn off all water inside and outside your home, then watch your water meter. If it's still moving with everything off, you have a leak somewhere. A sudden, unexplained jump in your bill is another strong sign — especially outside of Oklahoma's summer lawn-watering season, when higher usage is expected.
- Can a running toilet really raise my water bill that much?
- Yes — a constantly running toilet is one of the biggest silent water-wasters in any home, capable of wasting hundreds of gallons a day without making a sound. Drop a little food coloring in the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing; if color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.
- Can a plumber find a leak without tearing up my home?
- Yes. Triple Play Home Services uses acoustic and other non-invasive leak detection equipment to pinpoint hidden and slab leaks before opening anything up. If your meter moves with everything off or you suspect a leak under the slab, call (405) 500-5333 and we'll locate it without unnecessary damage.