Detecting Water Leaks

Reducing water loss is a major focus at HUB. Water loss can occur through leaks of different kinds; some common types of leaks you may experience are: pipe peaks, faucet leaks, toilet leaks, and underground leaks. When attempting to detect or fix these leaks, use the following suggested tips to help:

• • Your water meter can be used to detect leaks by cutting off the water to your house, and turning off all water inside or out of your house. If the meter continues to spin after all water at the house is cut off, then you may have a leak.
• • You can also take a meter reading to detect leaks. Record a reading from your meter, and then wait 1 to 2 hours without using any water, and if the reading has gone up a leak may be present.
• • Leaking faucets are often caused by a worn rubber washer. This washer is typically located under the handle of the faucet. Generally, these are simple to repair and will reduce water loss.
• • To detect toilet leaks, put a couple of drops of food coloring in your toilet’s tank. Wait for 30 minutes (do not flush during this time). If the water is colored, then a leak is present. These leaks are typically repaired by replacing the flapper valve that allows the toilet to flush, or replacing the filling mechanism.
• • If your toilet runs all the time, you may need to adjust the nut that holds your flush level bar, chain, and handle to the tank. If this does not work, you may need to replace the handle.
• • Wastewater leaks are much harder to detect, as the location may not be immediately apparent. Look for wet places, warped or discolored stains in your house to try to locate these leaks.
• • There are many visual aids that can help detect underground water leaks, these include: looking for pieces of your property that stay wet, and looking at your driveway, curb, or street for water flow evidence. Evidence may not be an actual stream of water, it may only be present as a puddle that never dries, or a darker area in the concrete.