Flossmoor, IL · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 0 votes
Hello folks. I'm new to the app, but happy to be here. I rent out a property in Markham,IL and the water bill shot up from $75, to $145 now for the last couple months. My tenant swears nothing changed with their usage, just claims the handle on the toilet sticks often. The city came out to inspect for leaks, and claims they found none. Am I missing something or can a handle that sticks a little really shoot up the water bill so high?!!!! Also, I would imagine if someone notices they have a sticky handle, they would just shake it do it won't run. Anyway, should I replace the handle, or dies there have to be another reason why this water bill is outrageous. It's a 3bedroom single family home with 2Adults and 2 Kids occupying it. What should I do?
Investor · Douglasville, GA · Member since 2014 · 313 posts · 181 votes
10y
yes, a stuck toilet handle can raise a water bill. a dripping faucet can raise your water bill, so imagine how much more water is spilling out when the handle sticks. Replace the toilet innards with a new flush kit. it will only take about 1/2 hour and cost you $20. Or spend a little more, and get one that can detect water leaking, and stops the flow when the handle sticks.
Investor · Douglasville, GA · Member since 2014 · 313 posts · 181 votes
10y
yes, a stuck toilet handle can raise a water bill. a dripping faucet can raise your water bill, so imagine how much more water is spilling out when the handle sticks. Replace the toilet innards with a new flush kit. it will only take about 1/2 hour and cost you $20. Or spend a little more, and get one that can detect water leaking, and stops the flow when the handle sticks.
Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2016 · 314 posts · 153 votes
10y
The handle sticking on a toilet would majorly increase your water bill. Replace the flusher assembly, they're cheap enough where it's not worth messing around with.
Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10y
It's the flapper not the handle. Replace all inner toilet guts. The kit costs $20. You can also put a brick or a full bottle of water inside the top tank to make it "low flow."
Investor · Century, FL · Member since 2015 · 950 posts · 603 votes
10y
I hate low flow toilets in rentals because tenants start using the fast flush to flush their personal waste down with the least amount of water. This debris can hang up on old pipes causing the eventual blockage.
I'm clear about this to my tenants, flush twice, once for waste once for paper. The water costs absolutely nothing in comparison to what I cost with a snake and a bad temper.
San Jose, CA · Member since 2015 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10y
Yep, the owner I worked for always knew when someone had a running toilet. The water bill would skyrocket. We had to knock on 25 doors (max) to find out who the culprit was.
If you can make the bill their problem, they'd be calling in a hurry about a running toilet.
I'd add that the water valve itself can fail as well. I know of one right now where the water runs for five minutes or so once the tank is full and the water is running down the overflow / refill tube before it finally shuts off.
So, yes - replace the guts in the tank, then see about getting the water bill onto THEIR expenses instead of yours. If you're paying any other of their utilities, same with those.
David J Dachtera
"Success is not a destination. Failure is not an event. Success is a process, failure is a choice." - DJ Benedict
Software Developer · Vidor, TX · Member since 2015 · 922 posts · 639 votes
10y
We have an aerated sprinkler system (personal residence) if the toilet runs over night the sprinklers will flood the yard (ditch really). We have a well so it's not as big of a deal but definitely change the innards of the toilet. After that, see if you can either put the bill in their name entirely or give notice of a rent increase to appropriately compensate you.
Flossmoor, IL · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 0 votes
10y
Awesome folks thanks for the tips. I will go ahead and replace ASAP. Would be ideal if my tenant could cover the water bill, but since it's a section 8 tenant, I picked up the water bill because the voucher maxed out. Again great stuff folks!! I know this was an easy one for all you pros. Lol
Rental Property Investor · Yardley, PA · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 561 votes
10y
Yes, a leaking toilet can use a surprising amount of water.
Make sure that the tenant is not putting one of those bleach tablets in the tank. I had this happen in one of my unit recently. I caused a flapper leak and a jump in the water bill. Of course, the tenant noticed the leaking toilet and never mentioned it until the water bill came...which fortunately they are responsible for!
Agent / Investor · Newark, NJ · Member since 2015 · 95 posts · 60 votes
10y
Had that same problem when I bought my 6 unit last year. I was wondering why the water bill was a lot higher than what the previous owner showed me ,( I requested the owner provide me with 1 year of the building water expenses before I bought the building ) I just happened to be in one of the tenants apartment replacing a door lock in the bathroom when I heard the water in the toilet running. When I asked the tenant how long the toilet has been running she said about 3 months now. I went knocking on the other tenants door , one other tenant had the same problem with her toilet. It cost me less than $20 to fix the problem . So now as my 3 month maintenance check I make sure the toilets are checked
Fitness Sales Director · Erie, PA · Member since 2015 · 59 posts · 29 votes
10y
@Michael Mckeavin seems as though you have received all the advice you need already, but for the future I figured I'd add another option to consider in a different situation.
If you are stuck with the water bill due to metering issues, you could add an addendum to the lease stating that if the water bill goes above (x) that the tenant will be responsible for the additional cost. Tenants will be more responsible and will let you know about any small problems (leaky handles, leaks, drips) far sooner than if they have no responsibility over the water bill whatsoever.
Not recommending this for this situation, but just something to keep in mind! Best of luck :)