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Checking for Leaks

Leaks in Your House

To check for leaks in your home, you first need to determine whether you're wasting water. Then identify the source of the leak.

  • Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks.
  • Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
  • Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
  • Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.

Source:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website

When You Think Your Home Has Sprung a Leak

If your water bill suddenly increases, but you haven't changed the way you use water, chances are you've sprung a leak. If you can not identify visible leaks, read your water meter*. It's good preventive maintenance to conduct a leak check of your house once or twice a year.

How to Read Your Meter

  • Turn off all water-inside and outside, including your automatic icemaker and evaporative cooler.
  • Record the reading on your water meter.
  • Wait 30 minutes.
  • Record the new reading on your water meter. If the reading has changed, you have a leak.

 

Water Meter Location

Water meters in most homes in the District are located in the basement near your water heater. If your home was built in 2016 or later, the water meter is in a meter pit in front of your home. Please call the District Office at 719-495-8188 for assistance if your home has a meter pit.