What a jump in the bill can mean
A higher bill has many causes, such as more people at home, irrigation, a filling pool or a longer billing period. If none of those fit, a leak is worth checking. Slab leaks, running toilets and irrigation breaks can waste water for weeks without showing on a ceiling.
This page covers simple checks. A plumber confirms and fixes the leak, and a restoration crew handles any water that spread.
The meter check
Turn off all water use inside and outside the home, then look at the meter. Many meters have a small leak indicator, often a triangle or dial that spins when any water flows. If it moves with everything off, water is going somewhere. Take a photo of the reading, wait an hour without using water and check again.
If the reading changed, shut off the home's main valve and look at the meter once more. If it stops, the leak is inside the house. If it keeps moving, the leak is between the meter and the house.
Common hidden leak sources
Check these first.
| Source | How to check | Sign |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet | Add food coloring to the tank, wait without flushing | Color in the bowl. |
| Irrigation | Check zones and valve boxes | Soggy spots or low pressure. |
| Under sinks | Look for drips and swollen cabinet floors | Musty smell. |
| Water heater | Check the base and pan | Rust or pooling. |
| Slab pipe | Listen for running water, feel for warm floor spots | Warm tile. |
| Appliances | Check supply lines | Stains or drips. |
If you find water damage
Stop the water if you can, then call a plumber for the repair. Water that soaked drywall, flooring or cabinets needs to be removed and dried, or mold can follow. The water extraction page explains how that works, and the slab leak page covers leaks under the floor.
Take photos before cleanup. If you plan to ask your utility about the bill or your insurer about the loss, the photos and meter readings help.
Ask the utility about the bill
Utilities have their own processes for high bill reviews, and some offer adjustments for repaired leaks. Policies differ, so ask your water provider directly and keep your plumber's repair receipt. We cannot say how any utility will treat your bill.
Do not assume a leak adjustment will happen. Ask what documents they need.
Look for patterns in the bill
Compare the last few bills. A steady climb can point to a slow leak or a running toilet. A sudden spike in one month can point to a new break, an irrigation timer change or a filled pool. Note the dates of any plumbing work, guests or landscaping changes.
Writing these down helps you or a plumber narrow the cause faster than guessing.
Outdoor and irrigation leaks
Walk the yard after the system has run. Look for soggy patches, unusually green strips, pooling near valve boxes and sprinkler heads that spray in odd directions. Open valve boxes and look for standing water. A leak outside can waste a lot of water without touching the house.
If you find a break, shut off that zone and call a plumber or irrigation specialist. Water near the foundation should be addressed quickly, because it can seep toward the slab.
When the leak is in the slab
A slab leak is a break in a pipe under the concrete floor. Signs can include a warm spot on the floor, the sound of water with everything off, cracked tile, damp carpet and a bill that rises with no visible cause. A plumber can locate it with listening equipment.
Once the leak is fixed, any wet flooring and walls still need to be dried. Leaving them damp invites mold and smell, even if the pipe is repaired.
Keep the proof
Save the bill, the meter photos and the plumber's repair receipt. If you later ask the utility about the charge or your insurer about the damage, those papers answer the first questions quickly.
Take a photo of the meter again after the repair to show that the reading stopped moving.
What this means in Dunedin
The City of Dunedin runs its own Water Division, which draws from Floridan aquifer wells and treats water at a city reverse osmosis plant. City utilities are separate from Pinellas County utilities, so call the number on your bill to ask about a review. Properties in other towns may be served by a different provider.
For Clearwater addresses, the City of Clearwater has its own Public Utilities department. See the Clearwater page and the service area page for local details.
What to do first
Shut off the main valve if you see water spreading. Keep clear of wet areas near electrical outlets. Take a photo of the meter and of any damage, then call a plumber and, if materials are wet, the 24/7 line.
The published ANSI/IICRC S500 standard is the reference crews use for drying once the leak is fixed.
Water bill increase questions in Dunedin
Shut the main valve and watch the meter. If it stops, the leak is inside. If it keeps moving, it is on the supply line.
Yes. Slab, irrigation and toilet leaks can run unseen.
A plumber. A restoration crew dries the water damage.
Ask your provider. Policies vary and we cannot speak for them.
Yes. Damp materials can grow mold, and a moisture check shows how far it spread.