Check the bill before choosing a repair
Compare the current bill with one covering a similar number of days. Note the metered volume, rate, fixed charges, and any estimated reading. Extra occupants, irrigation, or a longer billing period can change the comparison. Ask your provider to explain an unfamiliar charge or estimated reading.
Write down when the increase began and whether you hear a toilet refilling between flushes, see a faucet dripping when it is off, or find moisture under a sink. Those observations help narrow the next check. A bill by itself does not tell you where water went.
A note for Denver Water customers
In its water supply update of October 12, 2026, Denver Water repeated its 20% water-use reduction target. The utility introduced temporary drought pricing with May water use, reflected in June bills. Its lawn-watering and spray-irrigation ban has been in effect since October 1, 2026, and stays in place until the water board changes it. Check the utility's current rules before watering.
These rules apply to Denver Water customers only. Confirm the provider named on your bill if you live elsewhere in the metro area. Checking indoor leaks still matters after lawn watering stops. A leaking toilet or supply line needs attention when the sprinkler controller is off.
Three indoor leak checks to start with
1. Test toilet tanks
Denver Water’s indoor-leak guide recommends a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait 30 minutes without flushing. If color reaches the bowl, water is passing from the tank into the bowl. A leaking flapper may be responsible. Flush after the test to avoid staining. Note which toilet failed rather than assuming every toilet needs the same part.
Read moreRead less about Three indoor leak checks to start with
2. Look at faucets and accessible supply lines
With the taps off, look for dripping kitchen and bathroom faucets. Open the sink cabinets and inspect visible hot and cold supply connections for moisture, as Denver Water advises. Record what you can see. If you need help with a dripping fixture, review faucet repair. Unexplained moisture may need a separate leak inspection.
3. Compare meter readings during no use
EPA WaterSense recommends checking the meter before and after two hours when no water is being used. Account for irrigation, ice makers, appliances, and other automatic water users during the test. A changed reading suggests a possible leak. It does not locate it. If the loss remains unexplained, the underground leak guide explains what to document before arranging detection.
Choose the next step from what you found
- Toilet test failed: share the result and toilet model when asking about repair.
- A faucet drips or a connection is wet: photograph the accessible fixture and describe when it leaks.
- The meter changes but fixtures look dry: arrange an inspection rather than opening walls or digging from a bill alone.
- Usage stayed similar but charges rose: ask the utility about rates, fees, and the billing period.
To reach the Elite Rooter office for your address, use the location finder. Share the bill comparison and test results when requesting an appointment. Confirm the visit scope and availability when booking. For broader water-line questions, see water-line repair.
Questions about high bills and indoor leaks
What should I check first when a water bill jumps?
Start with toilet tanks, dripping faucets, and visible sink supply lines. Compare billed water volume with the previous period, then check the meter during a period with no water use.
Does a higher water bill prove I have a leak?
A higher amount due does not locate a leak. Compare consumption, billing-period length, and the rate shown on the bill. Some utilities add temporary drought pricing, so review both the volume used and the charges before deciding what needs investigation.
How can I check a toilet for a silent leak?
Denver Water recommends adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank and waiting 30 minutes without flushing. Color appearing in the bowl points to a tank-to-bowl leak and may indicate a leaking flapper. Flush after the test to avoid staining.
What does a moving meter mean when all fixtures are off?
EPA recommends comparing readings across two hours with no water use. A change suggests a possible leak. First account for automatic appliances and scheduled water use. The meter reading alone does not identify the leaking pipe or fixture.