How Do I Find a Hidden Water Leak?
Turn off all water and watch the meter's leak indicator. If it moves, you have a leak. Check toilets with food coloring in the tank, look under sinks and the house, and watch for stains, musty smells and soft floors.
Request a plumberStart at the meter
With every tap and appliance off, see whether the small leak indicator on the meter turns.
Check toilets
Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If color shows in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, the flapper is leaking.
Look under things
Sinks, the water heater, the washing machine hoses and, for raised homes, under the house.
Watch for clues
Ceiling stains, peeling paint, a musty smell, warped floors or a patch of lawn that stays green and soggy.
Humidity can fool you
In Savannah's summer, cold pipes sweat. If the dampness stops when the AC is off and the pipe is insulated, it's condensation, not a leak.
When to get help
If the meter moves and you can't find the source, send a request. See leak detection and repair.
What about the irrigation system?
Sprinkler lines are a common hidden leak. Turn the irrigation off at its valve and repeat the meter test. If the leak stops, it's in the sprinkler side; if not, it's the house or the service line.
How much water can a small leak waste?
A slow drip adds up to a lot over a month, and a running toilet can waste far more. The meter test is the quickest way to know whether you have one.
Leaks you can hear
Late at night, when the house is quiet, listen near walls behind bathrooms and the kitchen. A faint hiss or trickle with every tap off is worth reporting.
More plumbing guides
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