Leaks account for more than 10,000 gallons of water waste in an average home every year. High water bills are often caused by a leak inside or outside your home. These leaks are your responsibility to repair. Want to know if you have a leak? Follow these simple steps.
- Turn off all the water-using appliances in your home, including the washing machine, dishwasher, and ice maker, and tell everyone at home not to use the sinks, showers, or toilets for the next two hours. Do not shut off the water supply to these appliances; just make sure they aren’t actively running or being used. Only shut off the individual water supply if these appliances continuously run—some ice makers operate this way.
- Locate your water meter. It should be out in your front yard under a metal cover. Remove the cover to view the meter.
- Write down the number you see on the meter readout, or take a picture of the meter. Also observe the small leak detection wheel and the needle on the face of the meter. Nothing on the meter should be moving when you are not using any water inside or outside your home.
- After two hours of no water use, go outside and read the meter again. The number should not have changed. If the readout did change, or if you notice any movement on the meter during the test, you probably have a leak.
If you discover you have a leak, check your water fixtures and appliances to determine which one is leaking. Look for dripping faucets and showerheads, check the pipes under your sink, in your basement, or around your water heater. Don’t forget to walk around your yard to look for soggy areas that can indicate a leak in your underground pipes.
Even minor leaks can add up. Use this Drip Calculator to find out how much water a leak can waste.
