Leak Detection
Leaks may seem like a minute problem, but a single leaky toilet can waste thousands of
gallons of water every year. By finding and fixing leaks around the house, not only will you
be conserving your water usage, but you’ll also save money on your future water bills. Use
the following checklist as a guide to help you locate any leaks you may or may not be aware
of throughout your home.
Five Minute Whole House Leak Detection Test
1. Turn off all faucets throughout the house (washing machine hook-ups, bath, etc.) to
assure no water is running. Be sure to check that all automatic water users such as
an irrigation system or an automatic ice maker are off.
2. Watch the small dial on the water meter for three to five minutes. If it moves, you
probably have a leak.
a. Read your meter at night and again in the morning while the water has been off
overnight to check for very slow leaks.
b. If you have a water softener, check on a night when you are not recharging.
Toilets
1. Flush your toilet and wait for the tank to stop filling.
2. If water is still running into the bowl, it begins to run after it stopped or you can hear
it running, your toilet has a leak. Note: Most toilet leaks happen at the overflow pipe
or the plunger ball inside the tank.
3. Overflow pipe: take off the tank lid and flush; the water level should rise to
approximately a ½ inch just below the pipe. If it flows over the edge, you are losing
water and need to adjust your float level.
4. Plunger ball or flapper valve: Leaks involving these parts are often silent leaks. To
check, drop a little food coloring in the tank and wait for about ten minutes without
flushing. If the food coloring appears in the bowl during that time, you have a silent
leak. They can often be repaired with parts from your hardware store.
5. If your toilet is leaking and you cannot get it repaired right away (or do not know
how to repair it), shut off the water valve when you are not using it.
6. For more, see http://www.wikihow.com/Detect-Toilet-Leaks
Faucets
1. Check all faucets, showerheads and outside spigots for drips.
2. Check for standing water on your basement floor, especially around the water
heater, washer, water softener or water meter.
Suggestions from the City of Jackson, MI