Water Meter Leak
How To Easily Locate And Fix One
How To Easily Locate And Fix One
Finding a water meter leak is just as
important as fixing one.
Water meter leaks not only waste valuable
water but they cost a lot to repair, cause a reduction in revenue for water
companies and defeats the purpose of water conservation plans .
The first thing to do is find out the
source of the leak.
Steps
To Finding A Water Meter leak
Locating a leaking water meter is very
important because it is the first step to correcting the problem.
Let's now take a look at the easiest way to
identify a leaking water meter .
- Ensure
that all your faucets, pipes and equipment that use water is off.
NB.
Please ensure that all water appliances are off; otherwise, this water meter
leak test will be inaccurate.
- The
second step is to find your water meter . It
is usually covered by a water meter box. Remove the lid and lift the meter
register cover. You are now looking on the register face.
- On
the register face is a small blue or black triangle called a leak detector. Some newly designed water meters carry flashing lights instead of a
spinning indicator.
- Now if the leak detector is spinning you
have a leak. If there is no leak detector and the meter dial hand is spinning,
then you have a leak. Proceed to the next step.
- If the meter hand or leak detector is not
spinning. Look at the register face and take a reading. Then wait for 25 to 30
minutes (at least). If the hand moves, then you have a slow leak. If not, there
is no water meter leak.
It
is now time to locate the main shut off valve. The
shut off valve is usually located close to the water meter or the main pipe
outside your home.
Turn
off the shut off valve. Please ensure that it is
completely turned off.
To
test if you have a problem with the shut off valve, turn on any faucet in your
home..
- Now if the water is still flowing then
there is a problem with your shut off valve.
- If no water flows through the pipe, then
the shut off valve is working. Return to the meter.
So
we are now back to the meter face, now check if the meter’s leak detector hand
is moving.
- If the leak indicator or dial hand is
still rotating, then water is flowing somewhere between the meter and the shut
off valve. That means there is a leak between your water meter and your side of
the shut off valve.
- If the indicator is still, then most like
there is a leak between your side of the shut off valve and possible somewhere
in your house.
- Check all water using appliances such as
toilets, washing machines, pipes, faucets and refrigerators for any sign of a
leak.
How
Do You Know If The Water Meter Leak Is Your Responsibility?
So after we have found the leak, it is now
time to determine whose responsibility it is to fix the meter leak.
Some water utility companies may take full
responsibility for any water meter leak while some will take partial
responsibility.
Hopefully you won’t be in a situation where
any type of leak that you encounter you will be held liable.
There is no set rule but there is a general
guideline that most people follow and that is:
If
the leak is inside your house, then you should call a plumber. It will be you
or your landlord's responsibility to fix this. You should turn the water supply
off at the main to prevent further damage.
If
the water is leaking from your side of the meter, then it is your
responsibility. If the leak is from the other side of the meter (that is, where
the water goes into the meter) then it should be the water utility company.
Always keep your receipts for any repairs
because some water companies will reimburse you in full or in part.
At all times check for any leaks because
overtime a small leak can cost you thousands in repairs .
If it's your fault, don’t worry as yet. I
have compiled a list of ways to fix small water leaks. If you suspect your
water meter problem is too advanced for these steps then please call a
professional.
Fixing
Faucets
By far, the most common cause of leaks is a
worn washer.
Here is how to fix a washer on simple
faucets:
- Shut off the water at the nearest
shut-off valve or at the master valve.
- Loosen the cap nut by turning counter
clockwise. Turn the faucet handle in the direction of opening until it comes
off.
- Lift out the faucet assembly.
- Unscrew the brass set screw which holds
the washer in place.
- Remove the old washer. Flush or wipe the
cup clean.
- Select the proper size replacement washer
and insert it. Then replace the setscrew.
- Replace the assembly. Turn the faucet
handle as far as possible to close it. Then loosen handle slightly.
- Replace cap nut. Close the faucet. Turn
on the water.
Check your local hardware store. They have excellent brochures explaining how to fix different types of faucets.
Toilet
Leaks
Toilet leaks are just as common as a worn
washer. At one point in our lives we have heard ( or not), our toilets
“running”. A toilet that overflows just two gallons every five minutes will
waste 576 gallons per day or 17,280 gallons per month.
- Put a few drops of food coloring in the
toilet tank. Wait 15 minutes (without flushing). If colored water appears in
the bowl, you have a leak. The flush valve ball probably needs to be replaced.
- If the flush valve ball is not worn,
check to see whether it fits into the flush valve snugly. If this valve is
corroded, clean it. Then, if the ball still will not seat properly, straighten
the guide wire and make sure it is not catching anything. (Newer toilets have a
chain and "stopper ball" instead of the guide wire and flush valve
ball.) If it still leaks, replace the flush valve ball.
- Sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder
on top of the water in the tank. If this powder moves toward the overflow tube,
you probably have an overflow leak. Gently bend the float arm down to shut off
the valve before water spills into the tube.
- If your toilet whistles, whines or will
not shut off after adjusting the float ball, you may need a new ball cock
assembly. Hardware and plumbing stores sell complete replacement or
conservation kits with instructions.
Here
are some tips when fixing water leaks:
- Try to fix it immediately because they
can quickly develop into major problems.
- Before you attempt to fix a minor leak
turn off your shut valve
- Wrapping a pipe is only temporary and it
usually fails.
- Try to tighten any fittings that leak
with a tool such as a wrench. Be careful not to over- tighten the fittings.
- Try to tighten any fittings that leak
with a tool such as a wrench. Be careful not to over- tighten the fittings.
- Check if your water meter was installed
properly or the correct meter size fitted to the pipe.
How
To Conserve Water?
Conserving water is very important. We
already have limited supply of water on earth so the more we can save is the
better.
Most times we waste water and we don't even
know it. But conserving water is beneficial to the environment and it can help
us save a lot financially.
Besides, it is so easy that it won't even
take up your time. Below is a link to 100 Water conserving Tips!.
Try to practice at least five (5)
conservation tips per week and if possible, do more. Its best to get a hard
copy.
To make it interesting, have the whole
family participate in the activity and the one who conserves water the best is
rewarded. How does that sound? In the end, you are the one benefiting.
So always remember to:
- Check for your water meter leak
- Report water meter leaks
- Know who is responsible and fix simple
water meter leaks
- Conserve water at home and on the road
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