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albalfa t1_j0fdt68 wrote

Not sure on the variables and specifics to your situation, but if it turns out you're paying way more than you should be, it may be the toilet.

For a far longer time than I can hope to emotionally recover from, I had a leaking toilet that made a water bill that (I now know) should have been around $125/quarter into $500+ every 3 months.

Two years ago I did a minor reno of the bathroom and the 1980's commode had to go. Aside from using too much water in perfect condition, I knew it was leaking from the tank into the bowl a little.

It wasn't a little. After replacing it with a new, modern, efficient (but highly effective) toilet, my water bills dropped from over $500 quarterly to $125ish.

All the bills I paid of several hundred dollars for years because of a f'in toilet with a "slow leak" will haunt me to my death.

I knew it was leaking. I had no idea how much.

Good for you for asking if your bill is normal. Took me years and stupidly wasted money to ask.

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princess-smartypants t1_j0gkqqh wrote

To test this, drop some food color in to the top tank and wait a couple of hours. If any of the color shows up in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak.

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albalfa t1_j0glrzi wrote

That’s what did it for me. It took seconds to reach the bowl.

The damn thing never made any sounds like a typical running toilet either.

I’m cringing for having been such an idiot. So much wasted water. So much wasted money.

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baldymcbaldyface t1_j0g1ua1 wrote

FYI if this happens, many municipalities will reverse some charges if you contact them and explain the situation of the leaky toilet and tell them it has been repaired.

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