How to test for a leak in your
home's pressure plumbing:
Maybe your water bill has increased or you think you hear water running when it shouldn't be. Do you have a leak? This is a fantastic test to determine whether your pressure plumbing is leaking.
- Find your water meter. It is almost always located on your property in a concrete vault at your property line next to the street, although in rare cases it can be elsewhere (like in your back yard, or next to your town-home unit)
- Communicate with everyone in your household: Do not to use any water for the duration of this test (half an hour).
- Make note of the water meter’s numerical reading.
- After half an hour, look at the meter again. Has the number changed? If not, your pressure plumbing does not leak! If so, continue.
- If the number has changed, close the valves beneath all your house’s toilets. Sometimes toilets can run when not in use, causing unexpected water use.
- Reperform this test (steps 2 through4). Has the number changed? If not, your toilets are cycling when not in use. This is a simple fix that can be performed by any plumber or handyman. If the number has again changed, you most likely have a leak. Give us a call, and we’ll find it for you!
