WATER LEAK TIPS

Tips for Detecting Water Leaks

In many cases, a leak can be very hard to locate and very expensive as well.

Leaks are often the reason for unexplained increases in usage and variances in usage. Toilet leaks are the most common. A single running toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water in just one billing cycle.

It’s always important to know where and how to shut off the water in an emergency. The most important valve in the house is the main shut-off valve for your plumbing system.

If you have been notified that you may have a leak, here are a few steps you can take before calling a plumber:

*Check the pressure valve on the hot water tank. Sometimes these valves are plumbed directly into a drain and may be leaking without your knowledge. If you can’t remove the drain pipe just listen for a hissing sound.

*Check the toilets for leaks by removing the top off the tank and listening very closely. If you hear any hissing at all, try to locate where it is coming from. If nothing is noticeable, add a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank and don’t flush. If the color runs down into the bowl, you have a leak.

*If there are no leaks inside your house, check the line running from the meter to the house. Turn off the water going into the house and check your meter and if the dial is turning, your leak is most likely between the meter and the house.

*Check for any dripping faucets. If you don’t find anything, the next step would be to read your meter just before the residence is going to be empty for several hours. Upon return, read your meter again and if the reading has changed, there could be a leak in your water line after the meter or somewhere in the home.

If you feel as though your meter is not working properly and you don’t find any leaks, then you may request a meter test. There is a fee to send meter off for testing. If a discrepancy is found, the fee will be refunded.