Proudly Serving Baltimore

Back to Blog

Why Is My Water Bill So High?

Save Time, Call Prime!

Here’s a not-so-fun fact: According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, American household leaks can collectively waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water each year. If you’re struggling to wrap your head around just how much 1 trillion (with a “T”) gallons of water is, think of it this way for context—Baltimore’s Lake Montebello is only about 410 million (with an “M”) gallons, with a maximum storage of 606 million gallons. Your water bill may be impacted by a variety of factors:

  • Leaky and running toilets
  • Outdated fixtures
  • Tending to your garden
  • Welcoming guests or new additions
  • Improperly programmed irrigation systems

It’s accurate to say these leaks have environmental and conservation implications, but they also impact water utility customers’ wallets. Leaks of all types are among the most likely culprits responsible for soaring water bills, but they aren’t the only factors to blame. If you’ve found yourself wondering why your water bill is so high lately, chances are it’s because of one of these reasons.

Leaky and running toilets

You’ve heard the old phrase, “flushing your money down the toilet,” right? That applies here. Toilets that aren’t functioning properly, leaking, or running constantly can significantly strain a customer’s water bill. Depending on how much the toilet is leaking and the cost of water, a leaky toilet could tack on several thousand dollars to your annual water costs.

The easiest way to check for a leaky or running toilet is to simply listen. If you hear the sound of running water or a hissing noise, you’ve got a problem on your hands. In most cases, a faulty flapper is to blame, which can be an easy and inexpensive fix for someone with even moderate household repair skills.

More of a visual person? You can also check for leaks using food coloring. Add a few drops to your toilet’s tank; if you see it start to seep into the bowl, that means you have a leak.

Outdated fixtures

We love the historic charm of a Baltimore rowhouse as much as anyone, but many of these classics have not been brought into the present when it comes to water fixtures. Outdated and inefficient fixtures such as toilets, showerheads, and faucets can cause water bills to go through the roof.

You’d be surprised at how reasonably priced new, more environmentally conscious fixtures actually are. Try swapping out any antiquated fixtures with low-flow water-saving models that’ll make you feel good when you go to pay your bill and about playing a part in the water conservation effort.

Tending to your garden

As the weather gets warmer, it’s time to start this year’s garden! A big part of keeping plants healthy is ensuring they get enough water—just make sure you turn off the sprinklers when you’re done. You don’t want to overwater your plants or run up your water bill! It’s also a good idea to replace any leaky hose bibs as soon as they appear.

Welcoming guests or new additions

Is your house the summer hot spot for the neighborhood kids? If so, you can expect to see a spike in your water bill. It may seem hard to believe, but the presence of household guests can impact water bills, causing an ebb and flow (no pun intended) in costs. And if you’re adding someone permanently to the home, like a new family member or roommate, that increased bill may become the new normal.

Having guests over can be a blast—especially in the summer when school is out and spirits are high—so we’d never want you to stop the party. Our suggestion here would be to just plan for the months that you think the bill might be a little higher than usual and try to keep the wasting of water to a minimum.

Improperly programmed irrigation systems

Speaking of summer, it’s time to kick those irrigation systems into overdrive to ensure your lawn and plants aren’t wilting in the summer sun. Unfortunately, a lot of people think more is better when it comes to using sprinklers, which results in improperly programmed irrigation systems, a lawn that’s drowning, and an unexpectedly expensive water bill.

A lot goes into determining how much, how long, and how often you should water your lawn. A quick measurement hack: set an empty tuna fish can in your yard when you run your sprinklers. Monitor how long it takes to accumulate about an inch of water and use that time as a guide for appropriate sprinkler use. A good rule of thumb is to aim for about 1.5 inches of water on your grass each week, with watering taking place early in the morning before the sun comes out.

Of course, there are many other reasons why your water bill could be higher than normal, but these big four are among the most common during this time of year. While we can’t help you with those guests who overstay their welcome, we can assist with any leaks in your home that are responsible for driving up your bill. When you need us, we’ll be there. Save time, call Prime!

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Difference With Prime

About Us

Locally owned & OPERATED; Founded IN 2012

We take the worry out of things with upfront pricing

OPTIONS TO HELP YOU finance any service needed

Licensed Technicians who treat your home with care

Our maintenance plans make you the priority

Discount pricing for active and retired militaRy personnel

Locally owned & OPERATED; Founded IN 2012

We take the worry out of things with upfront pricing

OPTIONS TO HELP YOU finance any service needed

Licensed Technicians who treat your home with care

Our maintenance plans make you the priority

Discount pricing for active and retired militaRy personnel

    Get a FREE second opinion on water and sewer service, and septic repair/replacements!

    About Us

    Don’t Just Take Our Word for it

    More Reviews
    Wilfredo (Willie) Del Cid Is a Master Plumber of excellence Bar None‼️‼️‼️ I had a big job. 😬 Gas water heater (with code required expansion tank) and a booster. Also got a much needed whole house water filtration system for sediment because WSSC water is filthy. But you don’t know how filthy your water is until you get a sediment filtration system on your house🤔 He also has earned high approval ratings from “The Cats” And has been deemed to be worthy of the title Sir Willie.😻
    Sammeow
    2 days ago
    Review for Prime Plumbing After dealing with three plumbers in two days who all insisted I had a septic issue, I was beyond frustrated. The septic company assured me there was nothing wrong on their end and even told me, half-jokingly, to find a plumber who actually knew what they were doing. Prime Plumbing stood out from the beginning. Unlike the others, they actually answered the phone when I called. I set a same-day appointment, and although I was disappointed when the office called back to reschedule for the following day, I appreciated their professionalism. They kept me updated with status calls every couple of hours until the technician arrived at my door. That kind of communication is rare. When Ibrahim arrived, he made an excellent first impression with a firm handshake and by immediately putting on protective booties without being asked. He quickly identified multiple issues contributing to my problem and presented me with a clear solution and written price within minutes. His confidence, thoroughness, and clear explanations (both before and after the work was done) gave me real peace of mind. The quality of work was excellent, and Ibrahim’s professionalism turned a stressful situation into a relief. I would highly recommend Ibrahim and Prime Plumbing to anyone who values quality, transparency, and reliable service.
    David Taylor
    4 days ago
    Very satisfied with experience with Prime from first call to completion of required service.
    Nicole S
    6 days ago
    Rob was great! He dealt with a number of challenges in his work but remained calm and efficient. We are very pleased with the completed job and plan for more work by Prime Plumbing and Rob. Look forward to referrals your way. Thanks. Bruce Grey
    Bruce Grey
    1 week ago
    Ernie was amazing and fixed my problem quickly as needed. Superior work done!!!
    Universal Visionary Expressions, LLC.
    1 week ago

    Why Choose Prime Plumbing?

    Professional Services at an Affordable Price

    • Transparent Pricing
    • No Additional Charges for Overtime
    • Flexible Financing Solutions
    • Thorough Employee Background Checks
    • Complimentary Second Opinions
    Learn More