Check Your Water Meter for Leaks
A water leak isn't always easy to spot. A running toilet, dripping faucet, leaking outdoor line, or plumbing leak can use water even when everything appears to be turned off.
Most City of Frost customers have digital water meters that measure water use in gallons. You can use your meter to perform a simple leak check at home.
How to Check for a Leak
1. Turn off all water.
Make sure no one is using water inside or outside your home. Turn off faucets and make sure appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers are not running. Remember that irrigation systems, ice makers, water softeners, and other equipment may use water automatically.
2. Check your water meter.
Locate your water meter and take a clear photo of the numbers shown on the digital display. This gives you an easy way to compare your starting and ending readings.
3. Wait at least 30 minutes.
Do not use any water during the test.
4. Check the meter again.
Take another photo and compare the reading to your first photo.
Did the number increase?
If no water was intentionally used during the test but the meter reading increased, water passed through the meter during that time and you may have a leak on your property.
For a smaller or intermittent leak, try the test again for 1–2 hours. An overnight test can also be helpful, provided you can make sure no water is used overnight.
Common Places to Check
If your meter indicates water use when everything should be off, start with some of the most common sources:
- Toilets, especially toilets that run intermittently
- Dripping faucets
- Outdoor faucets and hose connections
- Irrigation or sprinkler systems
- Water heaters
- Plumbing underneath the home or in other areas where a leak may not be immediately visible
Don't Forget the Toilet
Toilets can leak without making much noise. If you suspect a toilet, place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait about 15–20 minutes without flushing. If colored water appears in the bowl, water is leaking from the tank into the bowl.
Try the 5-Gallon Test
Want to see how your meter records your water use? You can perform a simple test using a known amount of water.
First, take a photo of your meter reading and make sure no other water is being used. Then measure 5 gallons of water into a container and check your meter again.
The meter should show approximately 5 gallons of additional water use.
Tip: Don't assume that filling a container labeled “5-gallon bucket” all the way to the top equals exactly five gallons. Use measured gallon markings or another way of measuring a known five-gallon volume.
If You Find a Leak
Leaks on the customer's side of the water system are generally the property owner's responsibility to locate and repair. If your meter shows continued water use and you cannot determine where the water is going, consider contacting a licensed plumber.
Finding a leak early can help prevent property damage, conserve water, and avoid an unexpectedly high water bill.
