How Plumbing Repair and Smarter Habits Lower Your Water Bill

Have you noticed that your water bill goes up during the summertime? This is not uncommon. There are several contributing factors, some very obvious and some hidden behind fine print regulations, ranging from seasonal habits to hidden leaks that require professional plumbing repair. Here are the top reasons for summertime seasonal water bill hikes.

Why You Might Need a Plumbing Repair to Fix a High Water Bill

Have you noticed that your water bill goes up during the summertime? This is not uncommon. There are several contributing factors, some very obvious and some hidden behind fine print regulations. Here are the top reasons for summertime seasonal water bill hikes.

Increased Outdoor Water Use

The water bill will rise when water use goes up: summertime gives rise to an increase in water use.

• Watering landscapes is not an issue during the winter months because plants are dormant. Spring and fall months often get adequate rainfall to help landscapes thrive. Summer months can be very dry in South Texas.

The evaporation rate during the summer is exceptionally high, and homeowners tend to overcompensate by saturating the soil. A common response is leaving the sprinklers on for an hour at a time, three times per week, while the recommended rate is 30 to 45 minutes three times per week. The goal is to wet the surface of the ground, about 1 to 1 ½ inches deep. Increasing the irrigation times can double the amount of water necessary to keep the lawn and shrubs alive.

Broken sprinkler heads and cracked pipes can waste a significant amount of water in a short period of time. Watch for especially green or soggy patches and make the repairs.

• Swimming pools also use significant amounts of water, but filling the pump is built into your expectations. However, the amount of water that evaporates or is splashed out during normal use needs to be replaced. Replacing 1” to 2” of water per week to top it off and keep the filtration system working can add 1,000 gallons per week, as much as 13,000 gallons over the summer.
• It is nice to keep vehicles clean when pollen and dust lie heavy on cars and trucks. A typical garden hose releases 10-gallons per minute. Taking your time with several vehicles can easily use several hundred gallons in an afternoon. It is a minor factor, but it contributes to the increased usage. Pressure washing is also common during the summer months. Cleaning large areas with water under pressure adds 32 to 64 gallons of water per hour.

Increased Indoor Activity

During fall, winter, and spring, much more family activity is away from home. During the summer, children and parents spend more time at home, and this inevitably results in more water usage.

• Outdoor activities will make everyone sweaty and dirty. Lots of fun, but when it is over, everyone wants a kick shower or to clean up.
• It would not be unusual for outdoor activities to require multiple outfit changes, increasing the laundry loads.
• More meals at home mean more dishes to be washed.
• The number of flushes of the toilet per day will also increase dramatically, which can often push an older toilet toward a necessary plumbing repair if components begin to fail under the increased use.

Water use is not actually increased per day during the summer, since many of these same activities happen at school or at places of business.

A Hidden Cost Increase

Municipal water suppliers often have a tiered rate system that increases the cost of water per unit when water usage increases.

• Tier 1, for low usage might cost $4,00 per unit
• Tier 2, for high usage, might increase the cost per unit to $9.00.

Check your bill for such rate variations.

*This is a list of the most common factors that affect a residential water bill; there may be factors in your home that are not on this list.

Don’t Let Leaks Sink Your Budget: Schedule Your Plumbing Repair Today

If a sudden, unexplained spike in your utility bills has you concerned, it may be a sign of a hidden leak rather than just seasonal usage. At Doctor Cool, our expert team is ready to identify the source of the waste and provide a professional plumbing repair to restore your home’s efficiency. Contact us today at (281) 516-8043 to schedule your appointment and ensure you aren’t paying for water you aren’t actually using.