The following steps are an easy way to check your meter to determine if your plumbing system has a leak.  Please call the office if you do not know where your meter is so that we may provide you with your meter location.

1. Make sure that all indoor and outdoor faucets are off.

2.  Check the leak indicator on your meter to see if it is moving. Leak indicators may be triangular shaped or have a small silver wheel that turns when water is being pulled through the meter.  If the indicator is turning then you have a leak.

3. You can also read the meter and wait 2 – 3 hours and take another reading (remember not to use any water during this time).  If the reading has increased, you have leak.  

After you have determined there is a leak, then it is necessary to determine whether it is inside our outside of your home.

1. Locate the main shut off valve in your home.  In newer homes they are generally located in the garage.  Otherwise they are in a basement or crawl space directly opposite an outside faucet or outside below an outside faucet.

2. Check the leak indicator on the meter (do not use any water).   If the leak indicator is NOT      moving, then the leak is located inside the house.  If the indicator is moving or the reading has changed, the leak is outside in the line between the house and the meter.

3. If you are unsuccessful in locating the leak, the next step may be to call a plumber.

Leaking faucets and toilets:

Replacing worn rubber washers in faucets will generally fix the leak.  Washers are usually located under the faucet handle.  They are relatively easy to replace if the right tools are handy. 

Remember to shut the water off under the sink or at the main shut off valve before starting the replacement task.  Faucet handles in the off position prevent water coming from the faucet, they do not prevent water supply TO the faucet.

Leaking toilets are notorious culprits for increased water bills.  Many times they are very quiet, not easily detected, and are responsible for hundreds of gallons of water being wasted.  Checking for a toilet leak is easy, just place a few drops of food coloring (or dye tablets available from hardware stores) in the tank.  Wait approximately 30 minutes (no flushing) and check the toilet bowl.  If you see colored water in the bowl, your toilet is leaking.  Clear water indicates no leak.

If you have a leak, the possible causes could be worn flapper valves.  Replacement flapper valves are available at most hardware stores for around $8.  The water level in the tank may be set too high causing continual flow into the overflow tube.  Gently bending the float arm down or turning the adjustment screw will cause the water to shut off at a level below the overflow tube.  The flush level bar and chain may be sticking making it necessary to jiggle the handle to stop the water flow.  Simply turning the nut that secures the bar to the tank should solve the problem.  Otherwise the handle may need to be fixed.

If the leak still exists when all of the alternatives have been exhausted, you may need to contact a plumber to repair (or replace) the toilet.