Water Management - Water Conservation Information

Home Leak Detection - It's Easier Than You Think

If you have received an unusually high water bill, there could be a leak somewhere in your home. Usually, there is no need to call a plumber to find a leak; you can do it yourself and save some money. This is a step by step guide to finding leaks in your home.

Step 1 - Things you will need to before you start:

Flashlight
Paper Towel
Red or Blue Food Coloring or dye tablets
Make sure there are no faucets, toilets or other water using fixtures being used inside the home.

Back to Top

Step 2 - Your Water Meter

Locate your water meter. It is usually located near the street on the front of your property. Open the lid and examine the face of the meter.

Click here for detailed instructions on how to read your meter.

Make note of the digital meter reading. The reading should be the same, or higher, than your last reading indicated on your most recent water bill. If the current reading is lower than what is indicated on your most recent bill, your meter could have been read incorrectly. Please call 560-4412 to report a mis-read meter.

Next, look at the leak detector for movement. If there is water passing through your meter, the leak detector will be turning counter-clockwise. The more water that flows through the meter, the faster the leak detector will turn. For slight leaks, you may have to watch the leak detector for a few minutes to note movement.

Back to Top

Step 3 - Your Kitchen

Visually inspect your kitchen faucet for any drips or leaks. If your kitchen faucet drips, of course, you should make necessary repairs for faucets. Next, look under your kitchen sink and visually inspect the valve connections. Again, if there are any drips, make necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Your automatic dishwasher only uses about 14 gallons of water per complete cycle. If there are any leaks associated with your dishwasher, repair them immediately.

The clothes washer can develop leaks at the valve connections or in the hoses. Visually inspect these items for any leaks or drips.

Back to Top

Step 4 - Your Bathroom

In most households, over 75% of entire water usage is in the bathroom. Here is what to look for:

Visually inspect your lavatory faucet(s) for any drips or leaks. If your lavatory faucet drips, of course, you should make necessary repairs for faucets. Next, look under your lavatory sink and visually inspect the valve connections. Again, if there are any drips, make necessary repairs as soon as possible.

Also, visually inspect your tub/shower faucets for drips or leaks. Again, any leaks should be repaired promptly.

Your toilet(s) can be the biggest source of water waste in your home. A toilet that constantly leaks loud enough for you to hear can waste hundred of gallons of water each day. Also, you cannot always hear or see leaks in your toilet. Here is a proven way to check your toilets for leaks.

Remove the lid from the tank, or the back, of the toilet.

Put your ear close to the tank. If you hear a trickle or a hissing sound, you may have a leak.
Place two dye tablets or 5-8 drops of food color into the tank of the toilet and wait 15-20 minutes. Do not flush the toilet during this test.

After 15-20 minutes, look into the bowl of the toilet. If the color starts to develop in the bowl, there is a leak in your toilet and it must be repaired.

Usually, installing a new flapper will correct the leak.

Also check the water level in the toilet tank. In the middle of the toilet, there is an overflow pipe. The water level should be 1/2 inch below the top of this pipe. If the water level is at the top of this pipe, adjust the water level. If not corrected, water can flow over the top, through the bowl and down the drain.

Information on toilet repair in your home.

Back to Top

Step 5 - Here are other important items to check in your home:

Check your water heater for any valve leaks (pressure relief and main valves).
Visually inspect outdoor faucets for leaks.

If you have an irrigation system, frequently inspect all valves and connections for leaks. Be sure to check both the control valves as well as the valves at your backflow preventer, especially the RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone) device as leaks may develop around the gasket at the large pressure regulator assembly. Also note that the device may leak if debris gets trapped under one of the check valves. If you do have a leak in your irrigation system or backflow preventer, contact a plumber or certified irrigation specialist to make the repair.

Helpful tips:

Repair all leaks as soon as possible. After all leaks have been repaired, you may be eligible for an adjustment on your water bill. For more information about any billing adjustments, call City of Durham Customer & Billing Services at (919)560-4412.

Confused about how to repair your toilet or faucet? It's is not as difficult as you think. Choose a link below for detailed instructions:
Faucet Repair
Toilet Repair

Back to Top