Keep an eye on your utility bill over time
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY , CA — Recently, we helped a former client troubleshoot a suspected leak in the bathroom.
After inspection of the shower and crawlspace, we realized that there was indeed a significant leak that had gone unnoticed for some time. Unfortunately, there was significant damage and mold under the home – resulting in the need for major repairs.
The telling clue to this quietly lurking issue was a higher than normal utility bill. Although it’s common to set utility bills on autopay and forget about them, it is important to occasionally review current usage vs. historical usage patterns for that time of year. Higher electric, gas or water usage may be a sign of issues with HVAC system or duct work, hidden water leaks, or ailing hot water heaters, appliances or components.
If you see anomalies in your utility bills, reach out to a trusted contractor, handyman, home inspector or even the utility company to help troubleshoot the potential cause for the spike. Catching these issues early can often mitigate problems before they become significant – and costly.
Scott Denslow is the owner of Safe at Home Inspection Service. He is an InterNACHI and ASHI certified inspector who has 66 five-star ratings on Yelp. Contact him at scott@safeathomellc.com. For more info visit www.safeathomellc.com.
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