High Water Bill but No Visible Leak? Our 11-Step Guide Can Help

Last update: March 30, 2025

Matthew Olin

Founder & CEO, Lookout Lab, Inc. / Bluebot

Step 1: Check for Running Toilets

A toilet leak can waste gallons of water every day. Even a small leaky toilet can add up over time, increasing your water bill significantly.

How to Detect a Running Toilet

Listen for continuous running water after flushing.
Check for water movement in the bowl when the toilet is unused.
Drop food coloring into the tank; if it seeps into the bowl without flushing, you have a leaking toilet.

How to Fix a Running Toilet

Running toilets are often a simple fix, sometimes requiring absolutely no parts or replacements.

Adjust or replace the flapper if it’s not sealing properly.
Ensure the flapper chain isn’t too tight or tangled.
Adjust the float cup to regulate water levels.

A Bluebot smart meter lets you monitor water usage and detect leaks in real-time.

Step 2: Inspect Your Water Heater for Leaks

A water heater leak can be challenging to spot, mainly if it’s located in an attic, basement, or utility closet. Leaking water heaters can result in increased water waste, unnoticed water consumption, and a steadily rising water bill.

Signs of a Faulty Water Heater:

Puddles or wet spots around the water heater.
Higher water bills despite consistent water use.
Low water pressure or inconsistent hot water supply.
Rust-colored water or strange noises coming from the tank.

Common Causes of Water Heater Leaks:

Loose connections or fittings – Supply lines and valves may degrade over time, leading to minor leaks.
Sediment buildup – Hard water can cause mineral deposits, leading to overheating and pressure issues that can rupture the tank.
Corroded tank – Older water heaters may develop rust, eventually leading to leaks.
Faulty pressure relief valve – If this valve fails, excess pressure may cause leaks.

How to Fix a Leaky Water Heater:

Tighten all water supply connections and inspect the valves.
Flush the water heater regularly to remove sediment buildup.
If the water heater is old or rusted, consider replacing it with an energy-efficient model.

Step 3: Check for Leaks in Your Washing Machine

Even small washing machine leaks can cause a high water bill with no visible leak.

Your washing machine processes gallons of water per load, making it a potential source of water leaks.

Even minor dripping water from hoses or underground pipes can lead to hidden water waste and a higher water bill.

How to Detect a Washing Machine Leak:

Check for puddles or damp flooring near or behind the unit.
Inspect the hoses for cracks, bulges, or wear.
Run an empty cycle and observe whether water leaks appear beneath the unit.
Look for mold or mildew near the water connections.

Common Causes of Washing Machine Leaks:

Worn-out or cracked hoses – Over time, washing machine hoses deteriorate, leading to minor leaks.
Faulty door seal – If the seal is damaged, water leaks may escape from the door.
Drain pipe issues – If the drain hose is clogged or loose, it can result in water waste.
High water pressure – Excessive pressure can strain pipes and fittings, causing leaking pipes.

Fixing a Washing Machine Leak:

Replace old or damaged hoses with reinforced stainless steel ones.
Ensure the drain pipe is adequately secured and unclogged.
Regularly inspect and clean the door seal to prevent buildup and leaks.

Step 4: Examine Your Dishwasher for Leaks

A leaky dishwasher can cause water waste, leading to an unexplained high water bill. Dishwashers rely on a network of hoses, valves, and seals, and even minor failures can lead to unnoticed leaks that persist over time.

How to Detect a Dishwasher Leak:

Inspect around and under the dishwasher for wet spots, pooling water, or soft flooring.
Run a cycle and check for dripping water from the door or beneath the unit.
Listen for a continuous running water sound even after the cycle has ended.

Common Causes of Dishwasher Leaks:

Worn-out door gasket – Water leaks can escape during wash cycles if the rubber seal is cracked or misaligned.
Loose or broken hose connections – Water supply or drain hoses can develop cracks or become dislodged, causing slow leaks.
Faulty float switch – If the float switch malfunctions, the dishwasher may overfill, leading to water waste.

How to Fix a Dishwasher Leak

Replace a worn-out door gasket to ensure a tight seal.
Inspect and secure all hose connections.
Clean out or replace the water inlet valve if it is clogged or faulty.

Step 5: Look for Dripping Faucets or Faulty Fixtures

Even a slow drip or tiny leak from a dripping faucet or faulty fixture can result in thousands of gallons of water wasted over a year.

While a leaky faucet may not seem urgent, it can significantly increase your bill.

How to Identify a Dripping Faucet:

Check all faucets for slow drips, mainly when the house is quiet at night.
Look under sinks for moisture, wet spots, or small leaks.
Observe whether the faucet continues dripping after turning it off tightly.

Common Causes of a Leaky Faucet:

Worn-out washers – These small rubber parts deteriorate over time, leading to leaks.
Faulty valve seats – Corrosion in the valve seat can create an improper seal, causing dripping water.
High water pressure – Excessive pressure can force water through worn-out seals, leading to a steady leak.

Fixing a Dripping Faucet:

Replace damaged washers and valve seats.
Adjust water pressure if it’s too high to prevent unnecessary water leaks.
Upgrade to a low-flow faucet to reduce water consumption and prevent excess water waste.

A Bluebot smart meter provides real-time tracking for ongoing leak detection, helping to prevent unnecessary water use and control higher bills.

Step 6: Inspect Your Irrigation System for Leaks

A malfunctioning irrigation system can cause unnoticed water waste, leading to a higher bill.

Since irrigation systems are often programmed to run automatically, leaks can go undetected for weeks or months, causing excessive water usage.

How to Detect an Irrigation Leak:

Look for wet spots or pooling water in your yard, even on dry days.
Inspect sprinkler heads for low pressure, irregular spraying, or constant dripping.
Compare water meter readings before and after a scheduled watering cycle.

If you suspect that irrigation system leaks may be the cause of your high water bill, do some detective work by running each zone of your irrigation system and watching for abnormalities.

How to Fix an Irrigation Leak:

Replace or repair leaky pipes, cracked sprinkler heads, or faulty valves.
Adjust your irrigation schedule to avoid overwatering and water waste.
Install Bluebot’s leak detection system to monitor real-time water consumption.

Step 7: Check Around the House for Hidden Water Leaks

Hidden leaks can exist within walls, ceilings, floors, or underground pipes, making them difficult to detect.

Even a tiny leak can lead to significant water waste and damage over time.

Signs of a Hidden Water Leak:

Unexplained spikes in your water bill.
Musty smells, mold growth, or discoloration on walls and ceilings.
Damp floors, peeling paint, or warped wood.
The sound of running water when all taps are turned off.

How to Detect Hidden Leaks:

Check your water meter reading before and after two hours of no water usage.
Use a thermal camera or moisture meter to scan walls and floors for water leaks.
Inspect underground pipes for signs of erosion, soft soil, or sinkholes.

If you suspect a hidden leak, contact a plumbing leak specialist or install a Bluebot bright water meter to track water use and detect leaks early.

Step 8: Check Your Water Meter for Accuracy

A faulty water meter can lead to inaccurate water usage readings and inflated water bills.

Over time, meters can degrade due to debris buildup, wear and tear, or mechanical failure, leading to miscalculations.

How to Check Your Water Meter:

Turn off all water-using appliances and fixtures in your home.
Record the water meter reading, then wait at least an hour without using any water.
Check if the water meter has changed. If so, there may be a hidden leak or a meter issue.

Common Water Meter Problems:

Old or malfunctioning meters may record usage inaccurately.
Leaks in underground supply lines can cause higher readings without a visible leak.
Air trapped in the plumbing system can cause fluctuations in meter readings.

If your water meter seems inaccurate, contact your company to request an inspection or replacement. A Bluebot water meter can provide real-time tracking and alerts for abnormal water consumption.

Step 9: Investigate Billing Errors

Billing errors from your water department can lead to unexpectedly high bills.

Manual meter misreads, faulty automated systems, or incorrect rate calculations may cause errors.

How to Identify a Billing Error:

Compare your current water bill with past statements to spot sudden increases.
Check for estimated usage rather than an actual meter reading.
Review your water rates to ensure they align with local pricing structures.

How to Resolve a Billing Error:

Contact your water provider with documentation of previous water bills.
Request a leak adjustment or verification of your water meter reading.
Use Bluebot’s intelligent monitoring system to track water use and verify billing accuracy.

Step 10: Assess Local Water Main Issues

A municipal water leak or damage to a public water main can cause fluctuations in water pressure, water waste, and higher bills. These external leaks can affect entire neighborhoods.

How to Detect a Water Main Issue:

Sudden drops in water pressure or intermittent supply.
Discolored water or sediment appearing in your tap water.
Reports from neighbors experiencing similar high water bills or plumbing issues.

What to Do If a Water Main Break Occurs:

Contact your local water department to report suspected municipal leaks.
Monitor public advisories for updates on water central repairs.
If affected, request a billing adjustment for excess charges due to municipal water loss.

Using Bluebot’s leak detection technology allows homeowners to differentiate between personal and municipal leaks, ensuring accurate water consumption tracking.

Step 11: Monitor Your Water Usage for Long-Term Savings

If no visible leak is found, your high water bill may stem from unnoticed water waste.

Reducing Water Waste:

Upgrade to low-flow plumbing fixtures and water-efficient appliances.
Check for dripping faucets, leaky toilets, and minor leaks in pipes.
Fix irrigation system leaks promptly to avoid wasting gallons of water outdoors.

By integrating Bluebot’s bright water monitoring into your home or business, you can reduce water waste, prevent plumbing leaks, and keep your water bill under control.