How to Read a Water Meter to Detect a Leak
After examining your last water bill, you’re worried that you’re using too much water, or worse, you have a water leak in your home. And you’re not alone. According to the EPA, 10 percent of homes in the US have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more each day. You’ve already instituted a 5-minute shower rule and your sprinklers are on timers. You’re thinking you must have a water leak somewhere.
If you’ve already searched your home for all the likely culprits—a running toilet, shower head or faucet leaks and everything appears to be in working order, the easiest way to figure out if you have a leak is to read your water meter.
Reading your water meter to detect a leak in your home is simple.
Check out this short article on to how to a water meter to get the quantity of water used in gallons, cubic feet or cubic meters.
How to read a water meter to detect a leak
Watch this quick video on how to read a water meter to detect a leak.
STEP 1
The best time to do this is in the evening, right before everyone in your home is going to bed. Ensure there's no water being used in the home by turning off all faucets and any appliances that may use water.
STEP 2
Locate the ‘low flow indicator’ on the face of your water meter—it's usually a small red or black triangle or dial on the face of the meter. Write down the reading, avoid using any water, and then go to bed.
STEP 3
In the morning, before you turn on any water (yes, including to make your morning coffee), check the reading again. Is the number higher than it was before you went to bed? You may have a leak. If the indicator is turning, moving, or shaking, there may still be water flowing and there is in fact, a leak somewhere in your home.
Roughly 30% of homeowners insurance claims are related to water damage.
Once you’ve read your water meter to detect a water leak in your home, you’ll want to figure out the source of the mystery leak.
Start by investigating the following:
- Toilets
- Faucets and valves
- Water softeners
- Furnace Humidifier
- Other indoor places
- Outdoors
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