Leak Detection Tips

Occasionally you may want to check your water usage to avoid being surprised by an unusually high water bill.  Most of the time leaks are responsible for raising your monthly bill.  Not only will  you be able to detect leaks but you  may consider monitoring your water usage as a conservation measure.

Here is how.

Write down your meter reading and the exact position of the "sweep" hand.  Wait a few hours without using any water and read the meter again.  If there has been any movement of the "sweep" hand, you have a leak.  For example,  if during this time the "sweep" hand indicates you used 8 gallons, (each mark on the meter face equals 1/10 gallon), this would equal about 1000 gallons per month.

You can also monitor the "Low Flow Indicator" and if it is moving with all the water off, you have a leak.  Start by checking all toilets and faucets for leaks.  Do not forget about ice makers, water softeners and other automatic devices.

To check for a leak in your toilet add food coloring to the tank and let sit for about six hours.  If the water in the bowl becomes colored the flush valve is leaking.

Another hidden leak is the tank fill valve. If it is adjusted too high water will spill into the overflow and down the drain.

Another method is to check over a day.  If you were to read your meter before you left for the day and it read 540010 and upon your return it read 540060 a total of 50 gallons would have passed through the meter.

Be sure to consider the  water ice makers, water softeners and other automatic devices that would use water during this time.