Check These Parts
While some repairs are easy,
others are more complicated.
Know your limitations. Call a
plumber if you have concerns
about how to make a repair. The
Town of Ahoskie Water System
will not be responsible for any
damage to your home or
appliances because of faulty
repairs.
Shorten your shower time. Most
showers use about 5 gallons per
minute.

Repair leaks

Reduce water use in the yard
and garden

Replace old appliances with
high-efficiency toilets,
showerhead, washing
machine, and faucet.

Run the dishwasher and
washing machine only when
it’s fully loaded. Most
dishwashers use between 1215 gallons of water, full or
empty.

Instead of letting the water
run until the water is cold
enough to drink, keep a
container of drinking water
in the refrigerator
Town of Ahoskie
201 West Main Street
Post Office Box 767
Ahoskie, North Carolina 27910
252-332-5146
www.ahoskie-nc.org
Town of Ahoskie
Water System
Leak Detection Saves
Money and Water
Locate and Read Your
Meter
Locating a leak is a process of
elimination. Shut off one toilet at a time at
the wall. In between each shutoff, go to
the water meter and check your flow
indicator. If the small triangle stopped
moving, that means the toilet is the
culprit. If the small, red flow-indicator
triangle is moving, that toilet is not the
problem. Something else is causing the
water flow.
Once a year, test your toilet for leaks
• Remove the tank’s cover carefully.
• Drop leak dye tablets or 5-6 drops of
food coloring into the tank.
• Wait several minutes.
• If the bowl has color, you have a leak.
Check These Items for Leaks
Toilet Leaks

A quick check can be made by placing a
few drops of food coloring into the tank. If
there is a leak, then color should appear in
the bowl within 15-30 minutes.

Two common leak sites are at the overflow pipe and the flapper valve.

To determine if the leak is at the over-flow
pipe, look for water flowing over the top of
the pipe. You can adjust the water level by
gently bending the float arm down so that
the valve shuts off when the water level is a
half inch be-low the top of the overflow
pipe.
Check These Items for
Leaks
Faucets

Check faucets regularly for leaks at
the faucet head, and seepage at the
base and its connections.



If the leak is not at the
overflow pipe, check the flapper valve. If it
appears to be deteriorated or does not seal
completely, it should be replaced. You can
find a replacement flapper valve at your
local hardware store.
Appliances

Check the hose connections to your washer
and dishwasher to make sure they are
firmly secured.
Pipes

Periodically check your plumbing fix-tures
and exposed pipes.

Listen for the sound of running water.
Many leaks can be detected by sound as
well as by sight.
A leaking faucet is frequently the
result of a bad rubber washer. The
washer on a sink is typically located
under the handle.
Check local home centers or the
Internet (keywords “repairing leaky
faucets”) for instructions on how to
repair faucet leaks. If you don’t feel
comfort-able doing the repair
yourself, a plumber may be your
best option.
Irrigation Systems

If you notice that your misters are
not spraying their normal amount of
water, or if you notice water pooling
or running off below your system,
you may have a leak.

The first thing to do if you suspect a
leak is to clean the nozzles.

If this does not solve the problem,
you will need to inspect the rest of
the system for leaks, especially the
tubing, fittings, and nozzles. If you
locate the leak, you will either have
to mend or replace the leaking part.