Leak Detection

A Step By Step Guide to Finding Your Water Leaks

This guide will take you through the steps to check your home for leaks. Start with Part 1 and work your way through to Part 4. If you find and fix a leak make sure you still go through the remaining parts. We have seen leaks from different sources at the same time. Remember, this is only a guide and should not take the place of calling a plumber when one is needed.

Part 1: Is your water use above average?

Many times high water bills will indicate a leak, but this is not always the case. Before you start looking for a leak, determine how many gallons each person used this month compared to the last few months. The number of days in the billing cycle may change each month increasing the total bill, but not the average use. Divide the number of gallons used on your bill by the number of people in your household. Compare the gallons used per person per day on your last 2-3 bills; take into account any visitors or habit changes. If the number this month is noticeably higher than last you may have a leak.

Tip: Although estimates vary, according to the USGS the average household uses approximately 80 to 100 gallons of water per person per day.

Here are two websites to help you with your water use calculations:

• WECalc
• CSGNetwork

Part 2: Find a leak inside the home:

Leaks can occur in many different places around the home, making them hard to find.  If you find a leak, there are many do-it-yourself videos online that can show you how to fix most problems. Once again, if you do not feel confident in fixing the problem yourself, call a plumber.

Step 1: Turn off any water being used in the home, get a notebook, pen and a flashlight.

As you go through Steps 2 – 4 write down if you see any leaks or obvious signs of water. This will allow you to find all of your hidden leaks at once and come back to fix them later.

Step 2: Basement or Crawl Space

Start in the lowest level of your home and look for any leaking pipes or water that has pooled on the ground.  If everything is turned off in your home, no water should be moving through any pipes.  Listen for sounds of running water.  If you hear water, try to track where the pipe goes.  Make note of any potential problems in your notebook.

Pay attention to where the cutoff valve is to your home; usually located where the service line enters the home. If you have to make repairs to any pipes, you will need to know where to shut off the water.  If you do not know where the cutoff valve is or you do not have a customer cutoff valve please contact the City to have the City valve shutoff.

Step 3: Main Level(s): Walk through every room and look for:

Pipes: Look for pipes leaking under sinks as well as any wet or stained carpet, walls and ceilings.  These usually indicate leaking pipes or a leaky roof.  Either problem can cause damage to the structure of your home and create mold and mildew.

Faucets: Write down if you have any leaking faucets.  These are usually easy to fix and many times just need a washer replaced.  These small leaks will add up over time.

Tip: If a faucet or pipe drips 1 drop per second it will waste 2,700 gallons of water a year!

Hot Water Heater: The pressure relief valve allows the hot water heater to drain water if the pressure becomes too great.  However, many times this valve is directly connected to a drain making it difficult to see the problem.  Without touching your pressure relief valve, listen for water flowing through any connected hoses or look at the end of the hose for running water.  If you have a leak, which needs to be repaired, speak to a certified hot water heater specialist.

Tip: Water heaters can leak intermittently, so make sure you check multiple times

CAUTION!  Water heaters are dangerous, never attempt to fix them yourself.

Step 4: Toilets– the number one hidden leak

1. Test 1: Obvious Leaks: Take the cover off the tank. Watch to see if there is any water dripping or running into the overflow tube.  If water is flowing into the overflow tube, start by adjusting the height of the float.  If water is dripping out of the fill valve you may need to tighten a screw or replace it.
2. Test 2: Silent Leaks: Place a few drops of food coloring or dye tablets into the tank of the toilet. DO NOT flush for one hour.  After the hour if there is food coloring in the toilet bowl, there is a leak, move onto Test 3.  If there is no food coloring in the bowl, you do not have a leak, move onto Part 3.
3. Test 3: Determine What Part is Leaking: Turn off the water supply at the base of the toilet. Draw a line on the tank at the water level.  Wait another hour.  If the water level drops below the line, the problem is the flush valve or flapper.  If the water level stays the same, the leak is at the refill valve or float.

Tip: Food coloring will enter the bowl once you flush, this is normal and does not indicate a leak.