Water leaks are wasteful and expensive in terms of water bills. Check taps, pipes and fittings around your property regularly, thus saving nature’s precious water and your precious money. However; some leaks are really difficult to detect. Be proactive and use your water meter to consistently check for signs of leaks.
Follow these easy steps to determine if you have a leak in your house.
Step 1. Turn all appliances that use water off, including showers, sinks, washing machines and any appliance that uses water inside or outside the house.
Step 2. Take the lid off the meter box and remove the protective cover.
Watch the meter. Your meter should have a triangular red round disc that is called a “leak indicator.” Its spinning indicates a leak. If there is no leak indicator and the actual meter dial hand is moving, water is leaking somewhere in your system.
Step. 3. Find the main shut-off valve to the house.
Step 4. Turn off the valve.
Step 5. Turn on any tap inside the house to test if the shut-off valve is turned off completely.
Step 6. Check the meter again. If you see the leak indicator or dial hand still moving, water is leaking between the meter and the shut-off valve. If it is not moving, then there is a leak between the customer-side shut-off valve and some water appliances in the house. Check toilets, washing machines, faucets for any leak.
Step 7. To check a toilet for a leak you need to flush the toilet and while the toilet tank is still filling, drop some food coloring to the water in the tank. Wait 15-30 minutes. If the water in the reservoir changes colors, the flapper valve has to be changed.
If you follow these simple steps, you should be able to discover an approximate location of your water leak which will help the plumber, saving time for him and money for you.
Norwalk/La Mirada, CA 91766 | (562) 219-4085
