We know you need clear, practical steps right away when a surprise account lands in the mail — that’s why we start a high water bill investigation fast and stay with you until usage is back under control.
First, check your meter and compare recent readings to the printed statement. This simple step confirms the fact before you pay for tests or repairs you don’t need.
We explain common Adelaide causes of unexpected usage: silent toilet leaks, buried pipe faults and damaged meters. Our approach is designed for both residential and commercial customers so you focus on the checks that save time.
As Adelaide plumbers, we run 24/7 emergencies, carry fully equipped vehicles and can fix taps, toilets, burst pipes, water mains and hot water systems on the spot. Call Marc on 0432 667 785 or email info@allmatplumbing.com.au for a fast response.
Key Takeaways
- Start with a meter read to confirm the issue.
- Look for common local causes like silent toilet leaks.
- Monitor usage before paying for specialist tests.
- We offer same‑day repairs and 24/7 emergency service in Adelaide.
- Call Marc on 0432 667 785 or email info@allmatplumbing.com.au for help.
Sudden bill spike in Adelaide? Start here
Start with the facts: stop, take a photo of your meter and your latest statement right now. A clear image gives you a baseline and helps when you check bill details or ask SA Water to review a read.
Turn off all taps and appliances. Watch the meter for movement over 10–15 minutes. Any steady tick usually means leaks on your side of the meter.
Quick checks to do now
- Match the “This read” on the back of your statement to the black‑and‑white numbers on the meter.
- If the statement shows “estimated”, expect a catch‑up next read and note it before raising a dispute.
- Log the reading with the time and photograph any visible leak.
| Action | What to look for | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Photo meter & statement | Clear baseline read | Keep for utility or insurer support |
| Turn everything off | Meter movement over 10–15 min | Call us for leak location |
| Compare numbers | “This read” vs meter digits | Contact SA Water on 13 13 85 if mismatch |
| Not confident? | Unsure how to test | Call Marc on 0432 667 785 — request a quote today. |
Need help now? We operate 24/7 in Adelaide. Call Marc on 0432 667 785 or email info@allmatplumbing.com.au for rapid support.
How to check your bill and meter are right
Begin with a side‑by‑side comparison of the meter face and the ‘This read’ on your statement. A simple match often resolves the fact of whether usage was recorded correctly.
Confirm the read on your bill
Find ‘Meter read details’ on the back of the bill and compare the black‑and‑white numbers to your meter. If they don’t align, raise a billing query before paying for tests.
Was your usage estimated?
If the entry says estimated, expect a catch‑up on the next actual reading. Note the label and compare again when you get a real meter reading.
Compare use, pricing and smart data
Use the daily water use comparison on the statement to contrast the same period last year. Check your pricing tier and recent tariff changes — these can cause an apparent increase even with small extra use.
Smart meters and next steps
Smart meters let you review hourly data to spot overnight flow. If totals still don’t add up, contact SA Water first. Meter tests can cost you if the meter is fine.
- Match ‘This read’ to the meter digits.
- Watch for ‘estimated’ entries and next reads.
- Compare daily use to last year’s period.
- Check tariffs and pricing tier.
| Check | What to compare | Possible cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill ‘This read’ | Black‑and‑white meter digits | Mismatch or data entry | Contact SA Water; keep photos |
| Estimated label | Actual vs estimated reads | Catch‑up billing | Re‑check on next actual reading |
| Daily comparison | Same period last year | Seasonal or usage change | Review household patterns |
| Smart meter | Hourly overnight data | Hidden overnight leaks | Book a plumber in Adelaide — call Marc on 0432 667 785 |
Once billing is confirmed, we come to site to find the real causes and fix them the same day where possible. Request a quote today or call Marc on 0432 667 785.
High water bill investigation: find hidden leaks inside and out
A simple series of tests will help us narrow down hidden faults without guesswork. We walk you through quick checks and then use specialist tools if needed.
Toilets and basins
Do a food‑colour dye test in the cistern and watch the bowl. If the colour appears without flushing, that leak wastes litres all day.
Listen for a running cistern and check the base for damp. A failing seal or bolt can need replacement to stop damage.
Taps, appliances and hot systems
Use an overnight bowl under taps to catch slow drips — worn washers or cartridges are a fast fix.
Inspect dishwashers and washing machines for faulty inlet valves or hoses. Check hot water valves for constant overflow, which increases use and energy costs.
Garden, pipes and meter testing
Walk irrigation zones at night for broken heads and soggy patches. Bright green strips often mean underground faults.
Run a meter isolation: turn off fixtures, then isolate toilets, irrigation and hot systems to find the circuit that moves the meter.
- We offer acoustic and thermal leak detection, CCTV, hydro jet drains and on‑site repairs from qualified, insured teams in fully equipped vehicles.
- Need help now? Call our 24/7 emergency line — request a quote today.
| Check | Sign | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet cistern | Colour in bowl without flush | Replace valve or seal |
| Tap/drip | Slow steady dripping | New washer or cartridge |
| Irrigation | Soggy patches at night | Replace head, adjust timer |
| Underground pipes | Green strip, low pressure | Acoustic detection, excavation |
For full terms see our privacy policy. Call Marc on 0432 667 785 or email info@allmatplumbing.com.au for same‑day service.
Not a leak? Usage and seasonal changes that push bills higher
A sudden increase can follow simple household changes or hotter weather, not always a leak. We recommend checking usage patterns first before paying for tests.
Compare your daily use graph with the same period last year to spot seasonal changes or one‑off events. This Adelaide context matters — heatwaves and summer garden routines often shift demand.
Guests, working from home, or routine changes
More showers, extra laundry and extra cooking from guests or remote work raise household water use. These causes are common and usually stop when routines return to normal.
Summer watering, evaporative cooling, new lawn or pool
Evaporative cooling and irrigation during Adelaide summers drive steady increases. New lawns or pools need lots of top‑ups while they establish.
- Check irrigation timers — reset after rain and prevent zone overlap.
- Track the meter weekly during peak garden watering to spot trends.
- Review appliances — older washers or dishwashers can raise usage.
| Issue | Likely sign | Quick action |
|---|---|---|
| Guests/household change | Short surge then drop | Compare period reads; monitor next cycle |
| Garden/pool top‑up | Steady daytime use | Adjust timers; track meter during watering |
| Cooling/appliances | Higher daily totals in heat | Audit settings; consider upgrades |
If use stays up after behaviour checks, re‑run leak tests. We can also audit outdoor watering, adjust hot water settings, perform backflow testing or advise on hot water replacement.
Want a sanity check? Book a plumber in Adelaide or request a quote today; we’ll confirm causes and fix anything faulty.
Adelaide homeowners vs businesses: targeted checks
Different checks suit homeowners and businesses — a quick, targeted approach finds most common faults fast. We tailor our work so you get clear information and fast fixes that reduce wasted water.
For homeowners
Start with the obvious: outdoor taps, hose connections and toilets. Small leaks in a home or household can drip for days and cost more than you expect.
Check fittings after garden watering and inspect appliances and the meter face for steady movement. These are cheap, quick repairs in most cases.
For businesses
Commercial sites face different causes: added equipment, more customers, process changes and auto top‑ups that cycle at night. We map patterns and set alerts so usage won’t surprise you.
We also review your system, sub‑meters and plant capacity so staff or trading changes don’t drive wasteful use.
- We provide benchmarking and practical checks so you can compare bills to similar sites and spot odd causes.
- Commercial compliance? Book backflow testing, TMV servicing and grease arrester work with our licensed team.
| Site | Common things | Quick action |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Hose/tap drips | Replace fittings |
| Business | Auto top‑ups | Isolate circuit & tag valves |
| Both | Meter tracking | Log reads & set alerts |
Ask us about backflow testing or hot water replacement. Call Marc on 0432 667 785 to plan targeted checks today.
When to call us in Adelaide—and what we fix fast
If you spot active leaks or sudden flow at the meter, call us straight away so we can stop damage and ongoing charges. We respond across Adelaide 24/7 for urgent faults and complex repairs.
24/7 emergencies
Burst pipes, major leaks, sewer or stormwater issues: we attend immediately to limit property harm and restore safe supply.
Leak detection and drainage
We use acoustic tools and thermal imaging for precise leak detection. Our teams clear drains with hydro jetting and inspect lines with CCTV. We also repair damaged mains and buried pipes fast.
Bathrooms, kitchens and roofs
We fix taps and toilets, source parts for appliances, and repair roof and gutter leaks. We install and service filters to protect fittings and improve taste.
Hot water systems
We repair or replace gas, electric, heat pump and solar systems. We size units to your actual use so a rise in your account is less likely.
Gas fitting
Licensed gas fitters handle installations and gas leak testing safely and to code.
Commercial services
For businesses we provide backflow testing, TMV servicing, grease arresters and design‑and‑construct upgrades for compliance.
Why us: qualified, insured teams in fully equipped vehicles. Most issues are fixed on the first visit to reduce downtime and extra billing cycles.
Book now: Call Marc on 0432 667 785, email info@allmatplumbing.com.au or request a quote today. Need help now? Call our 24/7 emergency line.
| When to call | What we do | Typical outcome | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active leak or burst pipe | Immediate attendance, isolation, repair | Stop loss and prevent damage | 0432 667 785 |
| Unexplained meter movement | Leak detection, meter side testing | Isolate cause; reduce repeated charges | Request a quote |
| Slow drains or bad smells | Hydro jet, CCTV diagnosis | Clear lines; prevent backups | Email info@allmatplumbing.com.au |
| Commercial compliance | Backflow, TMVs, grease arresters | Meet regulations; safe operations | Book business service |
Conclusion
Start with a focused checklist so you separate billing errors from real plumbing faults fast. Photograph the meter, log the reading and keep any statement for comparisons.
Compare the same period last year and note any sudden increase in usage. Run simple tests — a dye in the toilet, a bowl under a tap, or a night‑time meter check — to spot hidden leaks.
If readings still point to a problem, we offer precise leak detection and on‑site repairs across Adelaide. We handle leaks, taps, toilets, meters and commercial compliance.
Book a plumber in Adelaide now: Call Marc on 0432 667 785, request a quote today, or email info@allmatplumbing.com.au. Need help now? Call our 24/7 emergency line for fast support.
