Water Conservation - Finding and Repairing Leaks

FINDING AND REPAIRING LEAKS

Leaks Locating a leak is a process of elimination. Leaks are easier to detect if you have a water meter. How to Isolate Indoor vs. Outdoor Leaks

1. Turn off all domestic (indoor) use water.

2. Check the flow indicator located on top of the water meter. (Small red dial) * If flow indicator is not spinning, the system has integrity with no water leaks.
* If flow indicator is turning, the system has a leak or can be attributed to outside usage. Continue to step #3.

3. Turn off main irrigation valve.
* If it stopped turning, water usage or leak was in irrigation system.
* If the flow indicator continues to spin, then usage may be on domestic side of service.

4. Turn off domestic water supply to the home (located outside at the hose bib where water service enters your home).
* If flow indicator stops, usage is on the domestic side of the service. Continue to step #5.
* If indicator still shows usage, leakage is in the area between the water meter, irrigation main shutoff valve, and the house shutoff valve. Refer to the now what section.

5. Turn on domestic water supply at the home. Check the following locations for water usage.
* Toilets (flapper valves, float arm adjustments, and inlet float valve assembly). To check flapper valves use the following methods:
(1) Place food coloring in tank and wait approximately 20 minutes. If colored water appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.
(2) Turn off the water supply valve for twenty minutes, then turn back on. If tank has lost water and water starts to run, water is leaking by the flapper valve
* Check inside and outside faucets for leaks.
* Check water-using appliances for leaks; i.e., water heaters, washing machine, ice maker and disposal.

6. After leaks have been repaired, check all valves for correct "on" positions.

Now what?
If you are not able to find the leak, you should call a leak detection company or a professional plumber to locate and fix the leak(s). Check your local yellow pages. If you find a simple leak like your toilet flapper or kitchen faucet, you may want to fix the problem yourself.