If your water bill jumped unexpectedly — or has been creeping higher for months — something in your home is wasting water. Davis Plumbing and Heating Inc. investigates high water bills throughout Riverside County and helps homeowners identify and fix the root cause. Here’s how to find the culprit.
Step 1: Check for Obvious Leaks First
Before going deeper, do a quick walkthrough. Look under all sinks, around the toilet bases, under the water heater, and at any visible pipes. Even a slow drip that fills a coffee cup per hour wastes 1,000+ gallons per month.
Step 2: The Meter Test for Hidden Leaks
This is the most reliable way to detect hidden leaks:
- Turn off all water-using appliances and faucets in your home
- Find your water meter (usually in a covered box near the street)
- Note the reading and check if the flow indicator (a small triangular dial or spinning star) is moving
- Wait 15-30 minutes without using any water
- Check the meter again — if it moved, you have a leak
The Biggest Hidden Water Wasters in Riverside County Homes
Running Toilet — 200 Gallons Per Day
A leaking toilet flapper is the single most common cause of unexplained high water bills. Run the food coloring test: add a few drops to the tank and wait 15 minutes. Color in the bowl without flushing = leaking flapper.
Slab Leak — Thousands of Gallons Per Month
A slab leak (water escaping from pipes under your concrete foundation) can lose enormous quantities of water. Signs: warm spots on the floor, the sound of running water with everything off, and a bill that doubled for no apparent reason.
Irrigation System Leak
Cracked irrigation lines, broken sprinkler heads, and irrigation running more than programmed are major contributors to high water bills, especially in spring and summer. Check your irrigation system for leaks by walking the entire system during a run cycle.
Outdoor Faucet or Hose Bib Leak
A garden hose left slightly dripping, or a hose bib with a failed packing nut, can waste 100-200 gallons per day without making itself obvious.
Water Softener Stuck in Regeneration
A malfunctioning water softener stuck in regeneration cycle can flush hundreds of gallons of water into the drain. If you have a softener, check its operation if your bill spikes.
Davis Plumbing Can Find the Source
If you’ve run through these checks and still can’t find the cause of high water consumption, Davis Plumbing provides professional leak detection service — including electronic listening equipment and slab leak detection throughout Riverside County.
Call (951) 657-0393 or contact us online. We serve Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Perris, Lake Elsinore, and all of Riverside County.