A water bill that jumps for no clear reason usually comes down to three things: irrigation, a running toilet, or a leak you cannot see. The meter at the curb tells you which one in about 10 minutes, with a flashlight and a screwdriver. Here is how to read it, and when the answer means calling us.
Hold this bill against the same month last year. Last month is the wrong comparison because summer irrigation can double a San Diego bill on its own. Most local agencies bill in HCF, and one HCF is 748 gallons. A jump of 5 HCF with nothing new in the house is about 3,700 gallons, and that is worth finding.
Turn off all faucets, the dishwasher, and the washer. Set the irrigation controller to off, and check that the ice maker, water softener, and any pool auto-fill are not running. The test only works if nothing in the house is supposed to be using water.
Lift the lid and find the small red triangle or star on the dial. If it is turning, water is going somewhere. For a slow leak it may not visibly move, so photograph the dial, wait 30 minutes without using any water, and photograph it again. Any change means a leak.
Close the main shutoff at the house (our shutoff guide shows where it is). If the meter stops, the leak is inside: dye-test every toilet first, since a running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day, then check the water heater's relief valve drain line. If the meter keeps moving, the leak is outside the house. Irrigation often tees off before the house valve here, so close the irrigation valve too before you blame the main line.
Stop and call us if: the meter keeps moving with the house valve and the irrigation valve both closed, which points to the underground line between the meter and the house. Also call if you hear water running with everything off, feel a warm spot on a floor, or see damp drywall, a new crack, or a musty smell. Those are the signs of a slab or in-wall leak, and we locate those without opening up walls on a guess. Once the leak is repaired, ask your water agency about a leak adjustment on the bill; our invoice is the documentation they will want.
Call and describe it. We will tell you what it likely is, what it usually involves, and how soon we can be there.
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Tell us what is going on and we will give you a real answer, a real timeframe, and an upfront price.
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