Leak

HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE A WATER LEAK

Metered Accounts

The best method for determining whether you have a water leak in your home is to follow this four step procedure:

Turn off all water around the house including outside spigots.
Look at the leak indicator (triangle) on your meter register.
If the leak indicator is moving, water is running somewhere in your system.
Check all toilets and inside and outside faucets for leaks.

If you cannot account for the running water by sinks, toilets, faucets, humidifier, automatic ice maker or water softener, you have a leak, and further investigation is recommended.

Ninety percent of all leaks in residential plumbing systems are found in the toilet tank. Malfunctioning water softeners and humidifiers run a distant second and third.

Toilets leak at the bottom of the tank around the flapper valve or at the top of the tank at the overflow tube. To test the flapper valve, remove the lid from the back of the tank and mark the water level in your toilet tank with a pencil. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. If the water remains on the mark you made for 10 minutes, the flapper valve is not leaking. If the water level drops below the mark you made, the flapper valve is leaking and should be replaced.

The water level in the toilet tank should be at least 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube. If the water level in the toilet tank is at the top of the overflow tube, a leak may be occurring there. The float that controls the water level in the tank should be adjusted so that the water level in the tank is roughly 1 inch below the top of the tube.

Toilet tank leaks typically result from worn parts or improper alignment of some part of the flushing mechanism. Most repairs can be done by an experienced "do-it-yourself" person. If you are unsure how to handle the job, call a plumber. It is very important to stop the leak.

Additional ways to check for a leak

Testing or checking for a leak where there is no water meter to monitor is a bit more challenging. Running water makes a sound vibration that travels through water pipes. This sound can sometimes be heard just by eliminating household noises (TV, radio, etc.). Other times you may need to use a listening device such as a Sonoscope (right) or Stethoscope (above). A Sonoscope is a device similar to an old fashioned phone ear-piece. If, these devices are not available to you, a medium or large screwdriver will work just as well.

Place the Sonoscope, Stethoscope, or the tip of the screwdriver on any water pipe. If using a screwdriver, carefully put the screwdriver handle next to your ear. If you hear a sound, chances are there is a leak in your water system. Be sure that the sound is not coming from your refrigerator or humidifier. To make sure the sound you hear is from a leak and not another energy source have someone turn on a sink and run water at different intervals and flows. By touching the listening device to your water line at different points, you can track down the location of the leak. If it is a large leak, a loud low tone will be heard. If it is a small leak, a quiet high pitch sound will be heard.

Ninety percent of household water leaks are found in your bathroom facility. Toilets leak at the bottom of the tank around the flapper valve or at the top of the tank at the overflow tube. To test the flapper valve, remove the lid from the back of the tank and mark the water level in your toilet tank with a pencil. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. If the water remains on the mark you made for 10 minutes, the flapper valve is not leaking. If the water level drops below the mark you made, the flapper valve is leaking and should be replaced.

If the water level in the toilet tank is at the top of the overflow tube, a leak may be occurring there. The float that controls the water level in the tank should be adjusted so that the water level in the tank is roughly 1 inch below the top of the tube.

Water Leaks Outside Your Home

Water leaking in your front yard or by the street must to be reported to the Water Works. A leak crew will be dispatched to determine the location of the leak.

The leak crew will find the main shut off valve (curb stop) located near the street. After locating the curb stop they will place a water valve key on the stop and use a listening device to determine if a leak can be heard.

By operating the curb stop valve the crew can determine who is responsible for repairing the leak. When the curb stop is turned off and the sound continues, the leak is on the side of the curb stop that the Water Works is responsible for repairing. ( See illustration )

When the curb stop is turned off and the sound of water running stops, the leak repair is the property owner's responsibility. To further check the location of the leak, operate the inside shut off valve. If the sound stops when the inside valve is closed, the leak is in the building. If the sound does not stop the leak is between the curb stop and the inside valve. In either case the leak must be repaired promptly. The leak crew will attempt to notify the resident and forward a report to the Water Works' Engineering Division.

Customer Notification (LEAKS)

Notifying the customer of a water leak is handled through the Water Works' Engineering Division. A detailed report is given to the engineering division from the crew who investigated the leak. The engineering division will notify the property owner by letter explaining what steps must be taken to have the leak repaired in a timely manner. If it is found that the water running from the leak presents a hazard or threat to public health or safety, or threatens to damage public or private property your water service may be shut off till the necessary repairs are completed.

ecwabox@eriewater.org

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