DIY Water Leak Test
Abnormally high water bill?
When you picture a water leak in your home, more than likely you're picturing a burst pipe scenario, with ankle deep water on the floor or the ceiling caved in. In reality, many residential water leaks are slight - and can go on for quite some time without being noticed... until you see your water bill.
*Once the leak is identified and repaired, you may be eligible to receive a credit from your water utility company.
Common Leaks
- Main Water Service Leak
- Running Toilets
- Dripping Faucets
- Tub/Shower Valve Leak
- Pinhole Leak
- Pool Equipment
- Landscaping Irrigation
Dripping faucets and running toilets may not seem like a big deal, but the water waste will definitely add up over a billing period. Valve or pinhole leaks may cause signs of damage, such as water spots on the ceiling, warped floors, swollen baseboards, or dripping from light fixtures or low spots in the ceiling. Be sure to check underneath your sinks as well, to see if there are any signs of a water leak. If any of these signs are present, contact our office to have those areas inspected for leaks.
The Meter Test
If you're still unsure of where a leak might be, you can use the METER TEST to check for an ongoing leak. Note: Ensure no water is being used prior to checking your meter - ie laundry, dishwasher, sprinklers etc.
- Locate your water meter and check the triangle or star shaped indicator for movement. If it is spinning, this may indicate a leak in the line.
- Write down the number displayed on the meter (or snap a picture). Return after 15 minutes to check the meter again. If the numbers have not changed, you do not have a leak in your system. If the numbers have changed, continue to step 3.
- Locate your house shutoff valve, where your main water service goes into your house. Close this valve completely and repeat step 2. If the numbers have changed, then the leak is likely in your main line between the meter and the shutoff. If the numbers have not changed, continue to step 4.
- Re-open the house shutoff valve. Close the angle stop valves at all of your toilets and repeat step 2. If the numbers have not changed, you may have a running toilet that needs to be serviced. You can confirm this by re-opening the valve and adding a few drops of food dye to the toilet tank and leave overnight. If there is a leak, the dye will appear in the toilet bowl. If the numbers have changed after this step, please contact us for further inspection.