Why Is Your DEWA Bill Suddenly So High? Hidden Leaks Explained

A sudden increase in your DEWA bill can be frustrating, especially when your lifestyle has not changed. Sometimes, a higher bill is easy to explain. During summer, for example, AC usage increases. If you have guests staying over, water and electricity use may also go up. But if your daily routine is the same and your bill still jumps unexpectedly, it is worth taking a closer look.

One of the most common reasons for an unexplained increase in water usage is a hidden leak. This type of leak may be behind a wall, under the floor, inside a false ceiling, in a toilet cistern, under a sink, around a water heater, in a villa irrigation system, or within concealed pipework.

The problem is that many hidden leaks are not visible at first. Instead, they show up in your monthly bill before you notice any physical signs.

For Dubai residents, water leak detection in Dubai is especially important because many homes are apartments, rental properties, villas, or units within shared buildings. A small leak can lead to higher bills, wall or ceiling damage, swollen cabinets, musty smells, mold, and even damage to neighboring units.

In this guide, we’ll explain why your DEWA bill may suddenly be high, how hidden leaks happen, what you can check first, and when to call a professional water leak detection specialist in Dubai.

Does a High DEWA Bill Always Mean You Have a Leak?

Not always. A higher DEWA bill can happen for several reasons, so it is important to rule out normal causes first.

In summer, electricity usage often rises because of heavier air conditioning. If your AC is set too low, not serviced properly, or running for long hours, your electricity bill may increase. Water usage may also rise if you have had guests, recently returned from travel, watered the garden more often, filled a pool, or used the washing machine and dishwasher more frequently.

However, if none of these apply and your bill still looks unusually high, especially the water section, a hidden leak should be one of the first things you check.

What Is a Hidden Water Leak?

A hidden water leak means water is being wasted somewhere in your home or property, but you cannot see it directly. It may be happening behind walls, under flooring, inside ceilings, in toilet cisterns, buried outdoor pipes, or concealed fittings.

Unlike an obvious leak, such as a dripping tap or water under the sink, a hidden leak can continue for weeks or even months. Over time, it can lead to higher bills, damp areas, wall stains, musty smells, mold growth, and damage to internal finishes.

In Dubai, hidden leaks can be a problem in both apartments and villas. In apartments, water may leak into the unit below. In villas, leaks may occur in irrigation systems, underground pipes, pumps, tanks, or outdoor plumbing lines.

Common Hidden Leaks That Can Increase Your DEWA Bill:

1. Leaking Toilet Cisterns

One of the most common causes of a higher water bill is a leaking toilet cistern. This type of leak is often quiet and easy to miss. Water slowly flows from the tank into the toilet bowl, then the tank refills again. This cycle can continue for hours or days without being obvious.

To check, watch the toilet bowl for a few minutes without flushing. If you see water moving, hear the tank refilling repeatedly, or notice a constant trickle, there may be a leak.

In Dubai apartments, this is a very common issue and can often be fixed by adjusting or replacing parts inside the cistern.

2. Leaks Under Sinks and Inside Cabinets

Leaks under kitchen sinks or bathroom basins often start small. Because they are hidden inside cabinets, they may go unnoticed until they cause visible damage.

Signs include swollen cabinet panels, musty smells, water stains, mold, insects, or damp flooring inside the cabinet.

In Dubai homes, where indoor spaces are often closed and cooled by AC, trapped moisture may not dry quickly. This can damage cabinets and create unpleasant odors.

Check under sinks every few weeks. If pipes, hoses, or drain traps feel wet, deal with the issue early.

3. Water Heater Leaks

In many Dubai homes, water heaters are installed inside false ceilings, bathrooms, kitchens, or service rooms. If a water heater starts leaking, the first visible sign may be a stain on the ceiling or wall. In some cases, water may drip from a false ceiling before you realize the heater is the source.

Water heater leaks should be taken seriously because they involve both water and electricity. A leak near lights, sockets, or wiring can be especially risky.

If you notice moisture, rust, dripping, or a musty smell around the water heater, turn off the water and power supply if it is safe to do so, then call a technician.

4. Leaks Behind Walls or Under Floors

One of the most serious causes of a high DEWA bill is a concealed pipe leak. These leaks are difficult to spot because they are hidden behind walls, under tiles, beneath floors, or inside ceilings.

Possible signs include a higher bill, low water pressure, stains on walls, damp flooring, the sound of running water, musty smells, or unexplained moisture.

In Dubai apartments, hidden pipe leaks can spread to neighboring or lower units. In villas, underground or outdoor pipe leaks may stay hidden for a long time.

This is when professional water leak detection in Dubai becomes important. Specialists can use tools such as acoustic detection, pressure testing, moisture meters, or thermal imaging to locate the leak with less damage to your property.

5. Irrigation System Leaks in Villas

If you live in a villa, the garden irrigation system should be one of the first things you check. Leaks in irrigation pipes, timers, outdoor valves, sprinklers, or underground connections can significantly increase water usage.

Sometimes the water simply soaks into the soil, so there may be no obvious puddle. Warning signs include muddy patches, unusually green areas of grass, water sounds when the system is off, or a sudden rise in water consumption.

For villas in Arabian Ranches, Dubai Hills, Jumeirah, Palm Jumeirah, Meadows, Springs, Mirdif, and similar communities, regular irrigation checks are especially important.

6. Water Tank, Pump, or Outdoor Connection Leaks

In some villas and buildings, water tanks, pumps, and outdoor connections are part of the water supply system. If any of these components leak, your water usage can rise without visible signs inside the home.

A pump that keeps switching on and off, runs too often, makes unusual noises, or stays active when no water is being used may point to a leak or pressure issue.

If you live in a villa, inspect the pump room, water tank, outdoor taps, garden lines, and service areas regularly.

How to Tell If a High Bill Is Caused by a Leak

There are a few simple checks you can do before calling a professional.

First, compare your current water usage with previous months. If water consumption has jumped and there has been no change in guests, travel, garden watering, or appliance use, a leak is possible.

Second, turn off all taps, showers, washing machines, dishwashers, and irrigation systems. Then check the water meter. If the meter is still moving while everything is off, water may be leaking somewhere.

Third, inspect all toilet cisterns. Toilet leaks are one of the easiest problems to miss and one of the simplest to check.

Fourth, check under sinks, around the water heater, near bathroom floors, false ceilings, shared walls, and service areas.

Fifth, if you receive a high water usage alert from DEWA, take it seriously and check your usage as soon as possible.

What to Do If You Receive a DEWA High Water Usage Alert

If DEWA sends you a high water usage alert, do not ignore it. The alert may indicate unusual consumption or a possible internal leak.

Start by checking your water and electricity usage through your DEWA account or app. Try to identify whether the increase is related to water, electricity, or both.

If the increase is mostly electricity, the issue may be AC usage, appliances, lighting, or a change in your routine. If the water usage has increased, start checking for leaks.

Inspect taps, toilets, sinks, the water heater, irrigation system, and meter readings. If you cannot find an obvious leak but the usage remains abnormal, it is time to call a water leak detection specialist.

Signs You May Have a Hidden Water Leak

You may have a hidden leak if you notice:

• A sudden increase in your DEWA bill without a clear reason

• A high water usage alert

• The sound of running water when all taps are off

• Low water pressure

• Water stains on walls or ceilings

• Musty smells or mold

• Swollen cabinets or flooring

• Dampness around the water heater

• Unusual wet patches in the garden

• A water pump that runs too often

• A water meter that moves when everything is switched off

Do not delay if you notice these signs. The sooner a leak is found, the lower the repair cost and the smaller the damage.

What Should Tenants in Dubai Do?

If you are renting and your DEWA bill suddenly increases, start by reviewing your usage and documenting anything unusual. Take photos or videos of the bill, meter, stains, damp areas, leaks, or DEWA alerts.

Then report the issue to your landlord or building management. In Dubai, repair responsibility often depends on the tenancy contract and the type of problem. Major plumbing issues, water heater problems, pump faults, or hidden pipe defects are often handled by the landlord unless the contract says otherwise. Minor maintenance or damage caused by misuse may fall under the tenant’s responsibility.

It is better to report the issue in writing rather than only by phone. A WhatsApp message, email, or official maintenance request can help with follow-up and documentation.

When Should You Call a Water Leak Detection Specialist in Dubai?

Call a specialist if your bill has increased but you cannot find a visible leak, or if the water meter keeps moving even when all water outlets are off.

You should also get professional help if:

• There are stains or damp areas behind walls or ceilings

• Water may have reached the unit below

• Water pressure has suddenly dropped

• The water pump runs for no clear reason

• The water heater or concealed pipes are suspected

• Your villa irrigation system is using too much water

• You want to avoid unnecessary wall or floor damage

Professional leak detection companies can use non-invasive or low-damage methods such as pressure testing, acoustic detection, thermal imaging, and pipe inspection tools. This helps locate the leak more accurately and makes repairs more targeted.

How to Prevent High Bills Caused by Leaks

Prevention is always better than paying high bills and dealing with property damage. To reduce the risk of hidden leaks and abnormal water use:

• Review your DEWA usage every month

• Take high water usage alerts seriously

• Check under sinks regularly

• Inspect toilet cisterns

• Look around the water heater for moisture

• Check villa irrigation systems often

• Shut off unnecessary water lines before long trips

• Investigate pumps that run too often

• Fix small leaks early

• Use water leak sensors in high-risk areas

Water leak sensors are especially useful in Dubai homes. Place them under sinks, near washing machines, beside water heaters, in service rooms, and around villa irrigation or pump areas.

Is the High Bill From Water or Electricity?

Remember that your DEWA bill includes both water and electricity. Before assuming you have a water leak, check which part of the bill increased.

If electricity usage has gone up, the cause may be heavy AC use, dirty AC filters, low thermostat settings, inefficient appliances, or devices left running.

If water usage has gone up, the cause may be a hidden leak, faulty toilet cistern, excessive irrigation, water heater leak, or concealed pipe problem.

Sometimes both increase at the same time, especially during summer when AC use is higher and water usage may rise due to gardening, guests, or lifestyle changes. Still, any unexplained spike should be investigated.

Conclusion

If your DEWA bill has suddenly increased, do not immediately assume it is just Dubai’s heat or normal household use. A hidden water leak may be the reason, especially if your water usage has gone up without a clear explanation.

Small leaks in toilet cisterns, under sinks, around water heaters, behind walls, in villa irrigation systems, or near pumps can waste a large amount of water over time.

Water leak detection in Dubai is important not only because of higher bills, but also because hidden leaks can damage walls, ceilings, cabinets, floors, and neighboring units.

The best approach is to review your DEWA usage, take high consumption alerts seriously, check your water meter, inspect common leak points, and call a specialist if the leak is not obvious.

With quick action, you can avoid unexpected bills, prevent property damage, and keep your Dubai home better protected.