Rule out the ordinary first
Seasonal watering, a pool, guests or a rate change can all raise a bill. Compare the usage figure on the bill, not just the amount due, with the same month last year.
The meter test
Turn off every faucet and appliance that uses water. Find the meter and look for a small leak indicator — often a triangle or dial — or note the reading. Wait an hour without using any water and check again.
If the indicator is moving or the reading has changed, water is leaving the plumbing somewhere.
Where the water usually goes
- A toilet leaking from the tank into the bowl, often silently
- A dripping faucet or outdoor hose bib
- An irrigation system with a broken head or stuck valve
- A leak in the service line between the meter and the house
- A leak under a slab or inside a wall
When professional help makes sense
If the meter shows water moving and the toilets and faucets are not the cause, leak detection can locate a hidden leak without opening walls or floors to search for it.