A toilet that runs after flushing is the single most common cause of unexplained high water bills in DFW — it can waste 200 gallons a day silently. Slab leaks, irrigation leaks, and dripping faucets are the next most likely culprits. A simple meter test at night isolates whether the leak is inside or outside.
A water bill that's $50–$100 higher than normal almost always has a single cause — it's not multiple small drips adding up, it's one significant leak running continuously. Here's how to find it.
nnThe Meter Test
nAt night, when no water should be running, locate your water meter and note the reading (or the position of the needle or triangle flow indicator). Wait 30 minutes without using any water. If the meter has moved, you have a leak. If it hasn't, the high usage happened during the day and is usage-based, not a leak.
nnRunning Toilets: The Most Common Culprit
nA toilet flapper that doesn't seal sends water continuously from the tank to the bowl and down the drain — often without any audible sound. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank; if color appears in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, the flapper isn't sealing. A $10 flapper replacement can cut hundreds of gallons of waste per day.
nnIrrigation Systems
nA cracked irrigation line or stuck valve zone running when it shouldn't can waste 10–20 gallons per minute. Inspect each zone, check the controller for runaway programs, and look for unusually green patches of lawn that might indicate a below-grade leak.
nnSlab Leaks and Hidden Pipe Leaks
nIf the meter test confirms a leak and you've ruled out toilets, irrigation, and visible drips, the leak is likely in a supply line — possibly under the slab. At this point, professional leak detection is the right next step. Staggs Plumbing uses electronic and acoustic detection to find buried leaks without exploratory demolition. Call 682-284-0966.
