When summer hits and suddenly your water bill jumps, it catches a lot of people off guard. This can especially happen if you feel like your routine has not changed much. But seasonal habits shift more than most people realize, and those changes add up quickly when it comes to water use.
Lawn Watering Adds Up Fast
One of the biggest causes of a summer water bill spike is outside watering. Lawns dry out faster under the sun, and many people water more often than they need to. Sprinklers are a common culprit. If yours runs too long or is scheduled during the heat of the day, most of that water evaporates instead of soaking into the ground. A small leak in the sprinkler line or a broken head can also waste a huge amount of water without being obvious. Garden beds, flower pots, and vegetable patches also pull more water in summer. Plants need more moisture in higher heat, and it’s easy to overcompensate. Even a few extra gallons each day can stack up over a month. Switching to early morning watering and using mulch to keep soil moisture longer can reduce the need without hurting your plants.
Visitors and Showers
Summer usually means more people at home and more activity. Kids out of school, visitors, or family staying over all mean more water use. You may not think twice about the extra loads of laundry, dishes, or quick rinses after a trip to the pool. But those small changes often double the normal indoor water use. Longer or more frequent showers are another hidden cost. Between trying to cool down and wash off sunscreen or sweat, most people end up using more water without realizing it. If your home has older showerheads or fixtures, the water use can be higher than expected.
Leaks Can Get Worse
Heat causes pipes to expand, which can reveal or worsen small leaks that stay hidden in cooler months. Outdoor faucets or pipe joints may drip more in summer. Because these leaks often happen outside or in crawl spaces, they are easy to miss. That water still goes through your meter, so you pay for it. Even a slow drip can waste hundreds of gallons over a billing cycle. You should also check irrigation systems. A single cracked pipe underground can leak constantly without any visible water above ground. If you notice a damp patch in the yard or a section of lawn growing faster than the rest, it might be worth a closer look.
When to Call a Plumber
If your water bill climbs and you can not find an obvious reason, a plumber can help. They have tools to detect leaks behind walls, under floors, or in outdoor lines. It is a quick visit from plumbing Idaho Falls that can prevent long-term damage and stop you from paying for water you’re not using. Plumbers can also inspect irrigation systems and replace inefficient fixtures with newer, low-flow options. A summer water spike is not always avoidable, but understanding where the use comes from gives you better control. With a few checks and adjustments, you can keep the bill from climbing higher than it needs to.