Solve Your High Water Bill in 4 Easy Steps

You expect your water bill to cost around $40-50. This month’s bill is over $150. What the heck happened?

The driving force behind most surprisingly high water bills is a hidden pipe leak- but it’s not the only potential cause. Before you call a licensed plumber for leak detection service, there are simple, free steps homeowners can take to rule out these other options.

We’re Mother, a Dallas-Fort Worth plumbing company focused on modern solutions that put the homeowner first. Sometimes, that means solving your problem without sending an invoice- like figuring out why your water bill’s high for no reason.

Let’s walk through 4 easy steps to solve your water bill increase before you call the plumber. Call us 7 days a week with advanced Dallas leak detection options built on tech-driven training and insight

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Fast Answers: 4 Steps to Diagnose Your High Water Bill

Our plumbers recommend 4 steps for homeowners concerned about a spike in their monthly water cost. 

Use these free, simple steps as a checklist before you call a licensed plumber:

1. Calculate your costs: The amount your water bill increased provides insight into the issue you’re dealing with. 
2. Call your water provider: Did your utility company recently institute a water rate increase you weren’t aware of?
3. Check fixtures and irrigation use: Survey your household about their daily water use. Are there any notable increases you didn’t plan for? 
4. Assess potential leaks: Did your bill increase by 30% or more? Consider the potential of pinhole, fixture or large pipe leaks in and around your home.

These 4 steps don’t take long to complete. After you’re done, you’ll have a clear understanding of the problem behind your shocking water bill- and exactly how to reduce it.

Step 1: Conduct a Water Bill Cost Analysis

The average American monthly water bill is roughly $47. Individual states vary widely- California and West Virginia residents regularly pay $85+, while South Carolina and Vermont often see bills under $20 per month.

While average water bills have seen a slight increase year-over-year, it’s not enough to make your eyes pop out. 

But if your bill’s even $10 higher than the previous month, it should set off alarm bells. A comparative analysis of your recent bills helps determine why the spike happened.

Compare last month’s water bill to this one. How much did the bill increase? 

Increases of $20 or more are a strong indicator you’re dealing with a leak in your plumbing system. Less than that, and you’re likely suffering from increased use or an unplanned water rate hike.

TABLE: Reasons for Increased Water Bills, by Amount 

Step 2: Call Your Water Company 

If your water bill went up by $10 or less, ask your utility provider about any recent water rate increases in your service area.

1-3% rate hikes are common measures that water companies take to cover the cost of maintenance, growing demand and replacing old infrastructure.

For example, the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) plans a 2.2% water rate hike for our Fort Worth, Texas customers in 2026. 

These rate hikes don’t move the needle much on your water bill, unless you’re already wasting water or have a leaky pipe.

Step 3: Survey Your Home Water Use

Even if you’re sure there’s a leaky pipe in your home or backyard, this is still a great time to sit the family down and talk about smart water use.

Are you running the sink while you brush your teeth? Overwatering your lawn or foundation? These simple, often accidental “water wasters” add up quickly on monthly water bills.

For example: every time you leave the sink on while brushing your teeth, you waste 8-10 gallons of water. Watch what happens when 4 family members do this 3 times a day for a month:

8 gallons x 3 times a day x 4 people x 30 days = 2,880 gallons of wasted water

That’s enough to increase this month’s water bill by almost 30%.

Simple, modern ways to save more water at home

It’s simpler than you think to take control of home water use. From the kitchen to the backyard, we’ve identified some forward-thinking ways to reduce your monthly water bill:

In the kitchen:

• Don’t let the sink run. Whether you’re washing dishes, vegetables or your hands, turn the faucet off when it’s unnecessary. 
• Make sure the faucet’s completely off. A slow drip from one faucet can add 300 gallons of water to your monthly bill.
• Install an EPA WaterSense certified dishwasher. These models use 3.2 gallons or less per cycle- that’s 30%+ less than standard dishwashers. 

In the bathroom:

• Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. 
• Install an EPA WaterSense certified shower head. You’ll save an average of 4 gallons of water per shower- that’s 120 gallons per month, per person.

In the yard:

• Install a smart sprinkler controller. Top models like the Rachio 3 can reduce water waste by 15,000 gallons per year. 
• Regular hose bib maintenance. Well-maintained hose bibs reduce the potential for outdoor water leaks (who checks there for leaks regularly?).

Throughout your home:

• Install an automatic whole home water shut-off valve. These valves automatically close if unusual water flow activity is detected in your water line and pipes. You won’t just save money on leaks and water damage- many insurance providers offer premium discounts and rebates on installation costs!

Thinking about a smart water shut-off valve? We talked to a local insurance expert- find out which insurance providers offer discounts on specific brands.

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Step 4: Assess a Potential Plumbing Leak

If your water company didn’t raise their rates, and your daily water usage isn’t higher than normal, it may be time to consider a potential pipe leak in your home.

The first thing to understand is you’re dealing with a water leak, not a sewer leak. Your water bill wouldn’t increase due to a sewer leak (although those cause nasty problems of their own).

Freshwater pipe leaks are most commonly found in these 4 areas of your home and property:

1. The main water line, which connects to the city water supply and delivers water towards your home;
2. Your branch lines, which divert water to the necessary parts of your home (near fixtures and taps);
3. Individual appliance lines, which deliver fresh water to your water using appliances like ice makers and dishwashers; and
4. Hot water lines that run towards water heaters, showers, washing machines, etc.

In short: fresh water pipe leaks are in your wall, under the floor, near a fixture, or underground.

Let’s examine common freshwater pipe leaks of different types and sizes, along with the damage they cause and amount of water they waste.

Pinhole or fixture leaks

Small leaks in freshwater pipes and in-home plumbing fixtures easily increase your monthly water cost by 50-100%.

Small leaks look harmless- a dripping faucet, a constantly running toilet, a broken sprinkler head. But look at how much water these “minor leaks” waste per month:

TABLE: Monthly water waste of common plumbing fixture leaks

*based o  EPA estimates

Large leaks and burst pipes

The worst case scenario: larger pipe leaks send monthly water bills skyrocketing. Our plumbers recently repaired a broken water line in a Dallas County backyard. The homeowner’s latest water bill was nearly $300.

These leaks often occur underground due to aging pipe materials, multiple tree root intrusions, and shifting soil. 

These systemic leak and burst pipe issues fall into three general categories:

1. Yard leaks from the incoming water line
2. Slab leaks near your home’s concrete foundation
3. Widespread damage in your lawn irrigation system (sprinkler heads, supply lines, etc.)

The EPA estimates that the average underground pipe leak wastes 6,300 gallons of water per month. A dime-sized leak in your home’s main water line can dump 10,000+ gallons per month- enough to turn a $47 water bill into a $100+ one.

Slab leaks

Underground pipe leaks become extremely treacherous if your home has a slab foundation. The porous nature of concrete allows water to infiltrate. When this happens, there are 2 possible outcomes:

1. The water dries, leaving cracks in your slab behind. This creates potential for foundation shifting, structural degradation and severe home damage.
2. The water travels into your subfloor and first floor walls. This leads to mold and mildew in flooring and walls, unstable floorboards and water damage in your home.

If your water bill increased by 30% or more and you have a slab foundation, it’s crucial to call a licensed plumber who specializes in slab leak detection services.

Our Dallas plumbers specialize in non-invasive slab leak detection that requires no digging, trenching, or cutting into your foundation.

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What to Do If You Suspect a Plumbing Leak

If your water bill’s gone up incrementally over several months- or by 30% or more in a single month- there’s almost certainly a leak in your freshwater plumbing system.

It’s difficult to pinpoint the precise location of your leak without the assistance of advanced leak detection equipment.

“Freshwater leaks are usually hidden,” explains our Journeyman Plumber Dillon Ashton. “Common causes include your toilet and dripping faucets, but there are slab and underground pipe leaks that aren’t visible.”

“Hidden leaks waste a lot of water quickly,” he adds. “It’s important to get them inspected and repaired as soon as possible.”

If you’ve exhausted all other options on our list, Dillon suggests calling a trusted plumber with local experience using a variety of leak detection equipment.

The best leak detection options for water line leaks

Our plumbers recommend leak detection service options that don’t require invasive measures- no cutting your walls, tearing up floors, or digging into your backyard.

You’re dealing with enough chaos. Keep your leak inspection stress-free and mess-free.

When you schedule a water line leak detection appointment with a licensed plumber, be sure they provide these 4 non-invasive service options:

• Acoustic leak detection: Sensitive microphones pick up sound waves from leaking water. We amplify these high-frequency waves to analyze patterns and direction.
• Electronic leak detection: An electronic leak detector senses changes in conductivity due to the presence of water. This allows it to find wet areas underground surrounded by dry soil.
• Thermal imaging: Water leaking from a pressurized pipe raises or lowers the temperature of the surrounding area. An infrared camera is used to detect these temperature changes, and display them as thermal images.
• Water line camera inspection: Expect a camera inspection with any quality leak detection service. It provides a high-quality visual indication of the precise location and severity of the leak- ask your plumber for a copy of the footage to share with your insurance provider.

Here’s a helpful chart to determine which service option is best for the precise location of your leak (in-home vs. underground):

TABLE: Leak Detection Options for Water Lines, by Location

Is your pipe leak hidden underground? Use our list of 10 warning signs to determine if your leak is inside your house or underneath the yard.

Ask your plumber for long-term repair options

If a plumber identified a freshwater pipe leak in your home or yard, don’t settle for a short-term fix. The only thing worse than a $250 water bill is another $250 water bill six months from now.

At Mother, we believe the best plumbing solutions offer lasting peace of mind. We use Schedule 40 PVC to ensure the highest quality spot repairs and pipe replacements that last 75+ years from the date of installation. 

A reputable plumber always provides the best leak repair option to establish long-term success and a fresh start for your plumbing system. If you’re uncertain about the course of action and proposal from your plumber, don’t hesitate to ask for a second opinion.

“Leak repair ought to be a one-time job,” Dillon concludes. “Do it right, and make it last.”

Call Mother for Expert Dallas Leak Detection and Repair

We hope your high water bill is easily resolved through smart water use, or due to a one-time rate increase from your water provider. If it’s caused by a freshwater pipe leak, take immediate action to have the leak located and resolved before it costs you more money.

Mother Modern Plumbing maintains a 5-star rating for its Dallas leak detection services, including advanced acoustic detection and high-definition plumbing camera inspections.

Call us 7 days a week to schedule your appointment within 24 hours. Let’s find your leak and provide lasting results that take the sting out of your monthly water bill for years to come.

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