Your water bill jumped: a 10-minute leak checklist

A sudden bill increase usually means a leak somewhere

If your water bill jumped noticeably without a change in your household's habits, a hidden leak is the most common cause. Here is a quick checklist you can run through in about ten minutes before booking a visit.

1. Check your water meter

Turn off every faucet and appliance that uses water in the house, then find your water meter, usually near the street or front of the property, and watch it for a couple of minutes. If it is still moving with everything off, water is flowing somewhere you cannot see.

2. Check toilets for silent leaks

A running or silently leaking toilet is one of the single biggest causes of a spiked bill. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing; if color appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking and needs replacement.

3. Check under sinks and around the water heater

Look for damp cabinets, water stains, or a musty smell under every sink, and check the floor around your water heater for pooling or dampness.

4. Check outdoor fixtures

• Hose bibs for drips, even small ones that only show under pressure.
• Irrigation or sprinkler lines for wet patches in the yard at unexpected times.
• Pool or spa equipment, if you have one, for signs of a leak in fill lines.

5. Listen for running water with everything off

With all fixtures off, walk through the house and listen for the sound of running water in walls or under floors. A sound like this, especially near a slab, can indicate a slab leak, which needs a professional leak detection visit rather than a home fix.

When to call us

If your meter is moving with everything off and you cannot find the source from this checklist, call us for a leak detection visit. Our $89 daytime or $149 after-hours diagnostic fee applies, and we will give you a written price for locating and repairing the leak before any work starts. Catching a leak early usually saves money over waiting for the next bill.

Need a hand? Harborline dispatch is 24/7 at (310) 555-0148.