Plumbing · checked 5 Oct 2026
The water bill is suddenly high
Fix it nowEight steps
- Check for flooding; avoid water near outlets, appliances, or electrical equipment.Wet electrical equipment can cause electrocution.
- Compare billed usage, billing dates, and charges with previous bills.Separate increased water use from increased charges.
- Check faucets, hoses, and irrigation schedules; look for drips and wet areas.Visible leaks and extra watering can explain increased usage.
The other five steps
- Add food coloring to toilet tanks; wait 10 minutes without flushing.Dye reveals silent toilet leaks.
- Check bowls for color; flush afterward to prevent staining.Color in the bowl means the tank is leaking.
- Stop all water use, including irrigation, appliances, and automatic pool filling.A meter test requires no intentional water use.
- Photograph safely accessible meter readings now and two hours later; keep water unused.An increased reading suggests a leak; call a plumber.
- Ask your water utility to verify readings, charges, and possible leak-adjustment eligibility.Confirm the bill; do not assume a credit is available.
When to stop
Stop and get a plumber if:
- Water reaches electrical equipment: leave the affected area; call 911 for sparks, smoke, or immediate danger. Never touch wet equipment.
- Water is actively flooding indoors: stop testing; call a plumber urgently. Close your home's known water shutoff only from a dry, safe location.
- The meter increases with all water use stopped and no visible source: call a plumber for leak detection.
- A shutoff valve is stuck, corroded, or leaking: do not force it; call a plumber.
- The meter box is flooded or unsafe to access: leave it alone; call your water utility.
What it probably is
A running or silently leaking toiletHear repeated refilling, or see tank dye reach the bowl without flushing.You can check
A dripping faucet or hose connectionSee persistent drips or water around exposed fittings.You can check
Extra outdoor watering or an irrigation leakFind longer watering schedules, broken sprinklers, or unusually wet areas.For a pro
A hidden pipe leakThe meter reading increases during two hours with no water use.For a pro
A billing change or catch-up readingUsage stayed similar but charges changed, or earlier readings underestimated consumption. Ask the utility.For a pro
Time and parts
- Time
- Allow two hours for the no-use meter test; toilet dye tests take 10 minutes.
Get it done
More than a quick fix? Vora gets quotes privately and recommends one plumber.
The plumbers we’d call in Tyler & Longview · Leak: what to do
Checked against
- EPA: Home Maintenance
- EPA: Understanding Your Water Bill
- City of Tyler: Utility Customer Experience Additional FAQs
- Ready.gov: Floods
Written for Vora from these public sources and checked on 5 Oct 2026. General guidance, not a substitute for a pro on site. In danger, leave and call 911.