The average leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water per day. That's over 6,000 gallons a month ($70.06*) for just one leaking toilet!
For example, depending on its size, a continuously running toilet can waste between 1,000 and 4,000 gallons of water per day and potentially increase your bill by hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
The most common cause for a high water bill is running water from your toilet. A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day or more depending on the volume flow down the drain. This can cause a terrible increase to a family's typical water use, so fix toilet leaks as soon as possible.
The worst case is a large leak, where your toilet operates a constant flow of water, spending up to 4,000 gallons and adding a potential $53 to your bill every day.
What happens if a toilet runs all night? If a toilet runs all night it will waste water and increase your water bill. Excess water can potentially flood your septic tank and lead to failure and saturation of your drain field.
A running toilet can quickly become a flooding toilet. If you have a septic tank, that excess water risks flooding the tank, which can result in the saturation and failure of your drain field. The bill for this degree-of-mishap will be much higher than merely fixing a toilet that will not stop running.
Repairing the Flush Valve Seat
Ghost flushing is a common but fixable issue that can lead to excessive water waste and higher utility bills.
A constantly running toilet may waste about eight gallons per hour, or 200 gallons per day. Left unnoticed, a running toilet could waste over 6,000 gallons per month. Depending on the rate you pay for water and sewer, this could cost as much as $70 per month!
Research from WaterSafe and Wessex Water reveals that a constantly leaking toilet can waste between 200 to 400 litres of water every day. This is equivalent to an additional £300 to £400 on your annual water bill.
If you live in an apartment or condo, a running toilet may also cause your electric bill to go up. This is because some apartments and condos add a little hot water to the toilet tank to prevent condensation on the tank.
If your water usage is unchanged, your city hasn't implemented a rate hike, and you have a high water bill with no visible leaks, the problem may be that you have an issue with your water meter. This isn't a common problem, but it's also not unheard of. To test your water meter, turn off your water.
No need to worry, a running toilet is usually a simple fix. The three most common causes are a broken or dirty flapper, too long or too short of a chain between the flush lever and the flapper or a float that is out of position.
A single flush costs just a fraction of a cent, so unless you're someone that makes a habit out of flushing the toilet on repeat, then there won't be much of an impact on your water bill. However, if there's an ongoing leak then you'll want to get it fixed right away, as you could end up footing an expensive bill!
Landlords have a responsibility to keep renters' toilets in good working order. Faulty parts can run up a tenant's water bill in no time, or dramatically increase expenses on a rental if water is included. Often, toilets leak because of a worn out flapper (sometimes called a “valve seal”).
Most people spend $4 to $10 per 1,000 gallons from a garden hose or $30 to $100 per 1,000 gallons from a water delivery service.
A running toilet can run low producing wells dry. This is particularly the case during hot summer months or during heavy drought periods.
A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day or more depending on the volume flow down the drain. This can cause a terrible increase to a family's typical water use, so fix toilet leaks as soon as possible.
Toilet leaks can waste hundreds of gallons per day and often times are silent. Even a small leak can add up to a lot of wasted water and money over time. Fortunately, most toilet leaks are easy and inexpensive to repair.
“My toilet keeps running.” We've heard this many times from homeowners, and it's never something you should ignore. Water running in a toilet constantly is usually a sign that there's a leak or toilet repair issue. And the longer you put it off, the more damage can occur.
Moderate Leak – 86,400 gallons per month x $0.018 per gallon = $1,555 per month. Large Leak – 172,800 gallons per month x $0.018 per gallon = $3,110 per month. Thus, a running toilet with a moderate continuous leak could land you with a monthly water bill that is $1,555 more than you expected.
The most common source of abnormally high water/sewer bills is leaky plumbing inside the property. More often than not, the source of that leak is a toilet.
The Costs of a Running Toilet
According to the United States Geological Survey, a leaking toilet that is allowed to run continuously can waste up to 22 gallons of water a day. If allowed to run a full year, that's a leak that amounts to over 8,000 gallons of water.
Actually, it is not unusual across the country for a sewer bill to be higher than the corresponding water bill. As environmental regulations have become more and more stringent over the past few decades, the costs of treating waste water to required levels have risen substantially.
Ghost flushing happens when there is a leak in your toilet system. The causes of ghost flushing are either internal or external or originate in the floor. Ghost flushing wastes water and can cause damage to flooring and walls.
To achieve your desired temperature, your shower valve is mixing hot water and cold water. However, when the toilet is flushed, cold water is temporarily siphoned away from the shower as the toilet refills. This makes the mixture of water coming out of your showerhead much hotter.