Leak Detection

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Step 1:  Check Water Meter 

Locate the water meter.  It should be in your basement or outside in a meter pit. Water meters have numbers or spinning dials which record usage.  When water is not being used, none of the numbers or dials should move.  Most meters also have a small "leak detector" arrow which spins to record the low volume of water use that is common with leaks.

Turn off every water-using item inside and outside the property. Watch the meter for a few moments.  If the leak detector dial moves you could have a leak.  You may also want to note the read on the meter before bed and take another read in the morning to see if the reading changed.  

Step 2:  Check All Toilets
Toilet leaks are often hardest to detect.  Place a few drops of food coloring into the tank after it has filled.  If there is a leak, then color should appear within 15-30 minutes. Even if no leak is detected, the test should be repeated just before bed. If dye shows in the morning, the leak might be intermittent. A toilet leak can waste thousands of gallons of water a day!

Step 3:  Check All Faucets
The most common cause of water waste is a leaky faucet. A drip can waste hundreds of gallons a day. 

Step 4:  Underground Lines
If you have underground water lines that run to outbuildings or distant hose bibs, shut them off and try to isolate those fixtures then follow STEP 1.  If the reading changes the following morning, that indicates a leak. 

Step 5:  Irrigations Systems
Is your system pressure tested for leaks after it is turned on for the season? Is it checked throughout the season for repairs and adjustments? Wet spots, mud, and eroding soil may indicate a broken pipe.  

A Final Note
Remember, leaks don't go away on their own, they only get worse with time. Take care of leaks as soon as they are identified, it saves water, money, and limits the complications of water damage.  

Know where your plumbing valve is. The shutoff or master valve is usually located inside your property a few feet from the water meter. Some properties have their water meters located outside in a meter pit.  It is important to keep the shutoff valve easy to access and in good working order at all times.

Every drop counts!