In cases of severe leaks, the water will seep up towards the ground surface, usually directly above the path of the underground pipe. Most often, leaks between the meter and the house are the responsibility of the homeowner; leaks from the meter or pipes leading from the main to the meter are the responsibility of the water utility.
The water utility should be contacted before any attempt to repair the water supply pipe. If the utility deems the leak to be the responsibility of the homeowner, a professional plumber should perform all repair work. This repair should never be attempted by a homeowner. Faucet leaks are a common occurrence and usually simple to repair. A faucet dripping slowly at only one drop every two seconds will waste more than 1, gallons 3. The repairs necessary to stop the leak depends on the type of faucet, and there are four basic types found in most homes: compression valve, ball types, cartridge types, and ceramic discs.
Each type of faucet has unique methods of repair. If you are accustomed to using tools and making minor home repairs you should be able to repair minor faucet leaks.
Toilets are one the most common sources of leaks in the home, and usually go unnoticed because the leaks are often silent and out of view. Large toilet leaks can be detected when the valve constantly emits a hissing or gurgling sound when the toilet is not in use. To begin looking for leaks remove the tank lid and inspect the flush mechanisms. The water level in the tank should be no higher than 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube.
If the water level is to the very top of the overflow tube, water is slowly leaking into the overflow tube and down the drain. The problem has one of three causes: 1 the water level is adjusted too high; 2 the float is damaged and not shutting off the refill valve; or, 3 the refill valve ball-cock assembly is worn and needs replacement.
You can perform a simple dye test to check for leaks in the flapper valve. Place dye tablets or a couple drops of food coloring into the tank water to give the water color. If the colored water appears in the bowl within 15 minutes, there is a leak in the flapper valve.
Leaks occur when the flapper valve does not create a watertight seal. The seal can be compromised due to several reasons: a the chain snagging, not allowing the flapper to drop completely onto the valve seat; c the valve seat is worn; or c the flapper is worn or warped. A worn flapper is the most common cause by far, and can be easily replaced. Some homes have whole house humidifiers, most common in homes with forced-air central heating systems. This humidifier is usually attached to the furnace ducting and directly plumbed to the water supply pipes to provide constant water supply to the appliance's water reservoir.
If the leak is located anywhere between the plumbers elbow and your property then it is your responsibility. If the leak is located anywhere between the plumbers elbow and the roadside it is our responsibility. If the leak is located within your area of responsibility then you need to call a plumber. Use our waterwise specialist search to find a licensed plumber near you. Most of the water meters in Houston read like an odometer in your car. Water is measured by volume in gallons or cubic feet, and water charges are typically based on cubic feet or on gallon units.
You might be wondering why you should bother to worry about your water meter if it is property of the city. And the answer to that is simple. The city only cares about the amount of water you are using. But if you have a leak in your home, you are being charged for a lot more water than you are using, which will increase your water bill.
And knowing how to read your water meter and determine signs of internal leakage makes you proactive about saving money. There are several external signs that you can look for around your water meter to determine if you have a leak:. Standing water: If you walk out to your water meter and notice the area around it is wet and soggy, or you see standing water and puddles, then you have a leak with the water from the main line coming into your home.
Generally, they break at the connection points. Box location is filled with debris: The water meter box is the connection point between you and the city. If you lift the box lid and notice it filled with debris or standing water, this means that an internal component is not working correctly and you are probably being charged for more water than you are actually using.
You have very high water bills: If you suddenly get a high water bill you should go out and look at your meter. Most water meters have a sensitive red dial, which will tell you if you have any water running inside your home. According to Bany, if you learn how to read your water meter and can figure out for yourself that there is an internal leak, you will help speed up the process of fixing the problem. It will help them and greatly help us. The next step is up to you.
By figuring out where your water meter is located and learning how to read it, you are being proactive about saving money and fixing small leaks before they become expensive and destructive. If you have a leak or are having a hard time figuring out how your water meter works, give the expert plumbers at John Moore Services a call.
We are only a phone call away and would love to help. Why should I care about my water meter? How do I know if there is a leak?
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