Sudden High Water Bill? Here’s What Causes a Spike in Water Usage (South Florida Homeowner Guide)
Nathanael Jolteus • December 15, 2025
Opening your utility bill and seeing a sudden increase in your water bill is alarming , especially when your daily habits haven’t changed.
In many cases, a sharp spike in water usage is the first and only warning sign of a hidden plumbing problem.
In South Florida, high water bills are commonly caused by leaks that stay out of sight but run 24/7, wasting thousands of gallons before homeowners realize something is wrong.
Let’s break down what’s really behind an unexpected bill increase and what to do next.
1. Hidden Leaks Are the #1 Cause
The most common reason for a sudden high water bill is a leak you can’t see.
Hidden leaks often occur:
- inside walls
- under floors
- beneath the concrete slab
- in irrigation lines
- behind toilets
- under sinks
Even a small leak can waste hundreds of gallons per day.
2. Running Toilets Waste Shocking Amounts of Water
A toilet that keeps running or refilling silently can waste:
- 200–300 gallons per day
- 6,000–9,000 gallons per month
Many homeowners don’t hear it running , especially at night.
Running toilets are one of the most overlooked causes of high bills.
3. Slab Leaks Drive Bills Up Fast
Slab leaks happen under the foundation and run continuously.
Signs include:
- warm spots on flooring
- unexplained humidity
- pressure changes
- faint sound of running water
Because slab leaks never shut off, they cause dramatic bill spikes quickly.
4. Irrigation or Outdoor Line Leaks
In South Florida, irrigation systems are a major contributor.
Common issues:
- broken sprinkler heads
- cracked underground lines
- timer malfunctions
- zones stuck running
Outdoor leaks are easy to miss but extremely costly.
5. Water Heater Leaks
A leaking water heater doesn’t always flood the area.
Slow leaks from:
- tank corrosion
- pressure relief valve
- drain valve
…can waste water constantly while staying hidden in a garage or closet.
6. Faucet or Valve Leaks Add Up
A dripping faucet may seem minor, but:
- one drip per second = 3,000+ gallons per year
- multiple drips compound fast
Leaking shutoff valves under sinks are often ignored.
7. If Your Bill Jumped Suddenly (Key Red Flag)
A sudden spike , not a gradual increase , usually means:
- something failed
- a pipe cracked
- a valve broke
- a toilet component failed
Sudden changes rarely come from normal usage.
8. DIY Checks You Can Do Right Now
✔ check all toilets for silent running
✔ look for water near water heater
✔ inspect under sinks
✔ check irrigation timer
✔ shut off all water and watch the meter
If the meter keeps moving → you have a leak.
9. Why Ignoring a High Water Bill Is Risky
Waiting allows leaks to:
- worsen
- damage walls and floors
- cause mold growth
- erode foundations
- increase repair costs
High bills are often the earliest warning, not the last.
10. When to Call a Plumber
Call a professional if:
- bill increased suddenly
- meter runs when water is off
- you hear water when everything is off
- pressure changes occur
- musty smells appear
- you suspect a slab leak
Early inspection saves money.
11. What We Do (Professional Diagnosis)
At Leading Plumbing Services, we:
- locate hidden leaks
- perform leak detection
- test water pressure
- inspect toilets and valves
- check water heater integrity
- inspect slab and wall piping
- identify irrigation leaks
- stop water waste permanently
We find the cause , not just the symptom.
12. South Florida Reality
High water bills are common here due to:
- older plumbing systems
- slab construction
- mineral corrosion
- irrigation-heavy landscapes
- humidity masking moisture
Most leaks go unnoticed until the bill arrives.
Final Thoughts
A sudden high water bill is rarely a billing error , it’s usually your home telling you water is escaping somewhere it shouldn’t.
Catching the cause early can prevent:
- costly repairs
- mold remediation
- structural damage
- ongoing water waste
Call/Text us today for high water bill investigation and leak detection:
(561) 506-6159
You turn the handle all the way closed. The water stops. Then, five seconds later, drip… drip… drip. It’s easy to shrug off, especially if it eventually stops. But a faucet dripping after shut off isn’t harmless. It’s a sign that internal components are worn, misaligned, or failing and in South Florida, those issues progress faster than most homeowners expect. Let’s break down why that last drip happens, what it means inside the faucet, and when a simple fix prevents a bigger problem. 1. What “After Shut Off” Dripping Actually Means This isn’t a faucet left slightly open. A drip after shut off usually means: water is leaking past an internal seal pressure is forcing water through worn components the valve can’t fully seat anymore In other words, the faucet is closed, but not sealed . 2. Worn Washers (Common in Older Faucets) Compression-style faucets rely on rubber washers to stop water flow. Over time, washers: harden crack flatten lose elasticity When that happens, water sneaks past even after the handle is closed, causing a delayed drip. This is especially common in older South Florida homes. 3. Cartridge or Ceramic Disc Wear Modern faucets often use cartridges or ceramic discs. When these components wear or get mineral buildup: they don’t align perfectly micro-gaps remain pressure forces water through The result? A slow, persistent drip after shut off. 4. Mineral Buildup (Accelerated in South Florida) South Florida’s mineral-heavy water leaves scale behind. Mineral deposits: prevent tight seals scratch internal surfaces interfere with valve seating Even a high-quality faucet will drip once minerals build up enough. 5. High Water Pressure Makes Dripping Worse If your home’s water pressure is high, it pushes harder against worn seals. This causes: delayed dripping faster wear of faucet internals repeated failures even after DIY fixes Many homes here operate above recommended pressure without realizing it. 6. Why the Drip Sometimes Stops (Then Comes Back) You might notice: dripping right after shut off then it stops then returns days or weeks later That’s because: pressure fluctuates seals temporarily reseat wear continues underneath Intermittent dripping is still a failure, just an early one. 7. How Much Water a “Small Drip” Wastes One drip per second can waste: 3,000+ gallons per year hundreds of dollars over time treated drinking water unnecessarily Multiply that by multiple faucets, and the cost adds up fast. 8. DIY Fixes That Sometimes Work (Short-Term) You can try: ✔ tightening the handle gently ✔ cleaning mineral buildup at the aerator ✔ checking for loose handle screws If dripping persists, the issue is internal, and tightening won’t solve it. 9. Why Ignoring the Drip Causes Bigger Problems A dripping faucet can lead to: corrosion inside the faucet body damage to the sink or counter-top mold growth under sinks higher water bills premature faucet failure What starts as a drip often ends as a replacement. 10. When Replacement Makes More Sense Than Repair Repair may not be worth it if: the faucet is very old parts are discontinued corrosion is present multiple repairs have failed water pressure issues exist Modern faucets are more efficient and durable when properly installed. 11. What We Do (Professional Diagnosis & Fix) At Leading Plumbing Services , we: identify the exact faucet type inspect internal components replace worn washers or cartridges descale mineral buildup test and adjust water pressure recommend repair vs replacement honestly ensure a true, drip-free shutoff We fix the cause, not just the symptom. 12. Prevention Tips To prevent future dripping: ✔ address minor drips early ✔ avoid overtightening handles ✔ maintain proper water pressure ✔ descale fixtures periodically ✔ replace aging faucets proactively Small maintenance steps extend fixture life significantly. South Florida Homeowner Reality In South Florida, a faucet dripping after shut off is often accelerated by minerals and pressure, not poor quality. Waiting usually turns a simple repair into a full replacement. Final Thoughts If your faucet drips after you shut it off , it’s telling you something inside isn’t sealing anymore. Fixing it early saves water, money, and frustration, and keeps small problems from becoming big ones. Call/Text us today for faucet repair or replacement: (561) 506-6159
A small drip from your water heater’s pressure relief valve is easy to dismiss. Many homeowners assume it’s “normal,” especially if it only leaks occasionally. In reality, a pressure relief valve leaking is never something to ignore , it’s a sign your system is under stress. In South Florida homes, this issue shows up frequently due to high water pressure, thermal expansion, and mineral buildup inside water heaters. Let’s break down what’s happening and when it becomes dangerous. 1. What the Pressure Relief Valve Is Designed to Do The pressure relief valve (often called the T&P valve): releases excess pressure prevents tank rupture protects against overheating It’s a safety device , not a drain. If it’s leaking, it’s reacting to a problem elsewhere in the system. 2. Excessive Water Pressure (Very Common) One of the most common reasons a pressure relief valve leaks is high incoming water pressure. When pressure is too high: the tank becomes over-pressurized the valve opens to release water dripping or periodic discharge occurs Many South Florida homes experience pressure levels higher than recommended without realizing it. 3. Thermal Expansion With Nowhere to Go When water heats up, it expands. If your home has: a closed plumbing system no expansion tank or a failing expansion tank …the expanding water has nowhere to go , so pressure builds and the relief valve opens. This often causes: intermittent leaking leaking after long hot water use dripping overnight 4. Failing or Worn Relief Valve Relief valves don’t last forever. Over time, they can: weaken collect mineral deposits fail to reseal properly Once a valve starts leaking due to wear, it often won’t stop on its own. 5. Sediment Buildup Inside the Water Heater South Florida’s mineral-heavy water causes sediment to build up inside tanks. Sediment: traps heat causes localized overheating increases internal pressure triggers the relief valve This is often accompanied by popping or rumbling noises from the heater. 6. Why This Is a Safety Issue A leaking relief valve isn’t dangerous by itself , but the condition causing it can be. Unchecked pressure issues can lead to: tank damage sudden leaks valve failure water heater rupture The relief valve is warning you before something worse happens. 7. Why Catching This Early Matters Ignoring a leaking relief valve can result in: water damage mold growth premature water heater failure emergency replacement Early correction often means a simple fix instead of a full replacement. 8. What You Should NOT Do ❌ Don’t cap or plug the valve ❌ Don’t ignore intermittent leaks ❌ Don’t assume it’s “normal” ❌ Don’t keep resetting it repeatedly The valve is doing its job , the system needs attention. 9. When to Call a Plumber Call a professional if: the valve leaks repeatedly water drips after every heating cycle pressure feels high at fixtures the heater makes noise the expansion tank is missing or failed the heater is 8+ years old These indicate system-level issues. 10. What We Do (Professional Diagnosis) At Leading Plumbing Services , we: test water pressure inspect the pressure relief valve evaluate expansion tank function flush sediment when appropriate inspect heater condition replace failed safety components ensure pressure stays within safe limits We correct the cause , not just the symptom. 11. Prevention Tips To prevent relief valve leaks: ✔ maintain proper water pressure ✔ install or maintain an expansion tank ✔ flush the heater annually ✔ address popping noises early ✔ replace aging safety valves Preventive care dramatically extends heater life. South Florida Homeowner Reality In South Florida, water heater pressure relief valve leaks are one of the most common early warnings before heater failure. Homeowners who act early usually avoid emergency replacements. Those who don’t often learn the hard way. Final Thoughts If your water heater is leaking from the pressure relief valve , your system is under pressure , literally. That leak is a warning, not a nuisance. Addressing it early protects: your home your water heater your safety your budget Call/Text us today for water heater pressure and safety inspection: (561) 506-6159
