Start with the meter
Your water meter shows how much water passes into the house. If you turn off every fixture and appliance and the meter still moves, water is going somewhere you cannot see.
Find the meter, usually near the main shutoff or in a pit outside, note the reading, wait fifteen minutes with everything off and check again. Most meters also have a small leak indicator that spins when any flow is present.
Common causes of a higher bill
| Clue | Likely cause | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet runs or hisses | Worn flapper or fill valve | Plumber or a hardware store fix. |
| Outdoor spigot or irrigation wet | Leak in a line outside | Irrigation or plumbing contractor. |
| Warm spot on the floor | Slab or hot line leak | Leak detection plumber. |
| Damp wall or ceiling | Leak inside the structure | Plumber, then restoration. |
| Meter moves with everything off | Leak somewhere | Plumber. |
| Higher use, nothing leaking | Guests, season or habits | No call needed. |
What to do while you investigate
Read the meter twice
Record the numbers with all water off to see whether it moves.
Check the toilets
Add a few drops of dye to each tank and see whether color reaches the bowl without flushing.
Look for damp spots
Check under sinks, around the water heater and along exterior walls.
Call a professional
If the meter still moves, call a plumber and, if you see damage, call us.
Leaks that damage the house
A leak you cannot see can soak framing and flooring for weeks. By the time the bill shows it, you may already have moisture inside walls or under floors.
If you find damage, our slab leak page and burst pipe page explain what restoration does while a plumber repairs the pipe.
Reading the bill itself
Look at the usage figure rather than only the total. A bill that shows a jump in cubic feet or gallons points to water use, while a jump in fees or rates points to billing changes. Compare the last twelve months if you can.
Also check whether the reading was actual or estimated. An estimated reading can swing high or low and be corrected on the next bill, which is worth a call to the water department before you assume a leak.
Seasonal and household reasons for higher use
- Filling a pool or watering a new lawn.
- Houseguests or a family member working from home.
- A new appliance or a changed laundry routine.
- A running humidifier or a leaking ice maker line.
- Draining and refilling a hot tub or a large tank.
What a plumber will do
A plumber checks fixtures first, then pressure tests the lines and, if needed, uses acoustic or thermal tools to find a hidden leak. Ask for a written report that names the location and cause, because it also helps with a utility adjustment or an insurance claim.
If the leak is inside a wall or under a floor, tell the plumber you may need restoration afterward, so repairs and drying can be planned together.
If you find the leak
Shut off the water at the main, take photos of any damage and call a plumber and, if walls or floors are wet, a restoration company. Ask the plumber for a written note of what was wrong and where.
Keep the bill, the meter readings and the plumber report together. They support a request to the utility and a claim to your insurer.
How the published standard relates to a hidden leak
If a hidden leak has already wet a wall or floor, the ANSI/IICRC S500 standard for professional water damage restoration is the reference for classifying and drying it. A slow leak is usually clean water but can be treated differently as it ages.
We cite it as an industry document, not as a certification. A plumber finds and repairs the leak first.
Romulus note: the utility and its records
Romulus note: public water system facts
Federal drinking water records list the Romulus public water system as one that buys surface water and treats it with conventional treatment. We do not state which supplier serves your street, so ask the City of Romulus water department about your meter, your billing and any leak adjustment policy.
The National Weather Service recorded 3.31 inches of rain in Romulus in about an hour and a half on July 28, 2025, and heavy rain and thaws can change outdoor irrigation and sump use, which can also affect a bill. Check what changed before assuming a leak.
Ask the utility for help
Call the water department and ask whether your meter has been read accurately, whether there was an estimated reading and whether a leak adjustment is available. Keep notes on the date, the person you spoke to and what they said.
Neighbors in Inkster and New Boston should ask their own utilities, since billing practices differ by system.
Prevent the next surprise
Check the meter monthly, test toilets with dye twice a year and replace old supply lines and hoses. Install leak sensors under sinks and near the water heater.
A habit of comparing your bill to the prior year catches problems early, when the fix is small.
Common questions
Turn off everything and watch the meter or leak indicator. If it moves, water is flowing somewhere.
No. A guest, a season of irrigation or a billing estimate can raise it. Check before assuming.
Start with a plumber if you can find the leak. If you find water damage, call us for extraction and drying.
Ask the City of Romulus water department. We do not state utility policies from memory.
Yes. A warm spot, running water sounds and a rising bill together are a good reason to call a leak detection plumber.