Why Is My Water Bill So High?

March 26th, 2014 Posted in Water Line Repair
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In general, property owners of residential properties see their water bills stay relatively consistent for most of the year unless there is a rate hike of they are using more water than normal to irrigate their lawns  or keep their swimming pools full during dry spells in the summer.  In some cases property owners may notice either a gradual or dramatic increase in the their monthly water bill.

When experiencing increased water bills for no apparent reason, the first thing to suspect is a water leak between the water meter and the inside of the house.  The best way to check for this is to make sure that all of the faucets are off, the dishwasher and washing machine are off and there are no running toilets.  Next go to the water meter, which is usually just being the curb and open the lid.  If the meter is running, then you have a leak somewhere between the water meter and the house.  In a vast majority of cases, the homeowner will be responsible for making the necessary repairs on a leaking water supply line between the water meter and the house.

A qualified and experienced plumbing contractor will be able to make the necessary water line repairs quickly and economically saving the homeowner money in the long run by promptly making the necessary repairs and not incurring high monthly water bills.  In many cases, even a slight leak will get worse over time and can ultimately result in a total failure of the water line.  Depending upon their homeowner’s insurance policy, the homeowner may be able to recover the costs of the repair as well!

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Is Your Water Line Leaking?

September 13th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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A broken or leaking water supply line can waste thousands of gallons of water in just a few days.  If you don’t notice that your water line is leaking, you could be socked with unnecessarily high water bills month after month. In addition, water line leaks can cause underground erosion and damage your driveway, foundation, or landscaping features. By being alert to the warning signs of a water line leak, you’ll know when to investigate further to find out if your water line is leaking and arrange for water line repairs if needed.

Those high water bills are the first sign of a water leak for many homeowners.  If you water bill has gone up significantly from last month, you may have a broken water line.  If you have a swimming pool or if you water your lawn, it is normal for your water usage to climb in the summer.  Check your water usage against the same month last year to see if the recent increase is out of line.

The other clear indication of a water line leak is a soft or wet spot in the yard.  If there is an area of your yard that never seems to dry out, it is a pretty good sign of a water leak in your water supply line unless the area has a foul odor in which case it is more likely to be a problem with your sewer line or septic system.

To confirm a leaking water line, shut off the water supply inside your home and take a look at the water meter at the curb.  Take a reading of the meter and compare it to the meter reading an hour later.  If the number has changed, you water service line is probably leaking.  Have it checked out and repaired by your local plumber.

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Do You Need Insurance For Your Water Supply Line?

September 13th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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A water supply line is the pipe that runs between the water meter, usually located near the road or street in front of your home, and your house.  This line supplies all of the potable water to your home from your municipal water source.  Your municipal water authority is responsible for repairing and maintaining the water main and the pipes that run from the water main to your water meter, but many homeowners are unaware that the homeowner is responsible for maintenance and repairs to the water line between the meter and the home.

If the water line breaks or begins leaking, the homeowner could be facing a water line repair bill that could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.  Some warranty companies offer insurance that covers water line repairs.  This is separate from your homeowners insurance which does not cover routine maintenance such as water line repairs.  These companies offer coverage for a few dollars a month to cover repair or replacement of a water line.

The insurance sounds like a great deal, but before you sign up, be sure you understand what you are getting into.  Most water supply lines work for decades without any leaks or breaks.  The exceptions are galvanized steel or polybutylene pipe.  These types of water lines are prone to leaking after 10 to 20 years.  If you have one of these types of water lines, insurance might not be a bad idea but be sure to examine the policy carefully to see if these types of water lines are excluded from coverage.

Also, in the unlikely event that a copper, PVC, or polyethelyne water line fails, it can usually be repaired for a few hundred dollars.  A total water line replacement can cost thousands of dollars, but these types of water lines don’t usually require replacement.

Finally, check on the insurance company to see if there have been any complaints against it and to make sure it is sound.  Your insurance will not be a bargain at any price if the company is out of business when you need them or has a history of denying claims.

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Best Pipe For Water Supply Line

September 13th, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you are installing a water supply line at a newly built home or replacing a broken or leaking water line at your existing home, you have several types of materials to choose from.  Years ago, water supply lines were usually galvanized steel or polybutylene.  Neither of these types of materials are used today for water supply lines because they had a very high failure rate.

Instead, plumbers today usually use copper, PVC, or polyethylene pipe for water supply lines.  Copper is generally considered the best material for water supply lines.  It is easy to work with, durable, and strong.  Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive option.  Also, copper pipe is available as either rigid pipe sold in ten or twenty foot sections or a softer version that comes in coils.  Rigid copper pipe is put together will connectors and each connection is an opportunity for a leak to develop.  Flexible copper pipe is sold in coils and has far fewer connections where leaks can develop.

PVC pipe is less expensive than copper and also very easy to work with, but it is not quite as durable as copper.  In addition, like rigid copper, PVC is sold in sections and leaks can develop at the connections.

Polyethylene pipe is inexpensive like PVC, but has the advantage of being a flexible type of pipe that is sold in rolls.  Polyethylene pipe can be installed more quickly because it does not need to be joined every ten to twenty feet. Fewer joints means fewer spots where leaks can develop.  In addition,it’s flexibility also means that it can be routed around corners and obstacles easily.

Your plumbing professional can help you choose the right type of pipe to fit your needs and budget.

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How To Repair a Leaky Water Line

August 2nd, 2012 Posted in Water Line Repair
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If you have noticed unusually high water bills this summer for no apparent reason, you may have a leaky water line.  A high water bill is usually the first sign of a leaky water service line.  Check along the route where the water line is buried to see if you have a soft or damp spot in the yard.  If so, that is the likely spot for the leak.

You can confirm a leaking water line by turning off the water where it enters the house and check the meter reading at the curb.  Check the meter again in an hour or two.  If the reading has changed, then your water service line is leaking.

Repairing a water service line involves finding the leak, digging up the pipe at the source of the leak, repairing the pipe, then filling the hole back in.  Some homeowners may have the skills necessary to do the job, but for most a water line repair is a job for your plumber.

Before you try to tackle a water line repair yourself, see what kind of pipe you are dealing with.  You can check where the water line is connected to the meter or where it enters your home, but keep in mind that sometimes copper pipe is used for a few feet where the water line enters the house and some other type of pipe is used for the rest of the water line.

If your water line is polybutylene or galvanized steel, you are probably better off replacing the entire line rather than trying to repair it.  Galvanized steel water lines corrode from the inside out and if yours is leaking in one location, it won’t be long before it starts leaking somewhere else.  Likewise, polybutylene pipe is notorious for becoming brittle and failing after about 10 to 15 years.  If your polybutylene water line is leaking, replace the whole line with copper or PVC pipe.

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