An easy place to start is with any toilets in the home. Toilet leaks might be the most invisible leaks of all, since all traces go down the drain. Toilets can leak from tank to bowl or bowl to drain without ever being aware of it. You might have heard this referred to as a ‘running’ toilet, as water is constantly running down the drain. If you hear your toilet reservoir filling between uses, this is often the cause of higher usage or receiving a leak notification. To confirm your toilet is running or leaking between uses, try put some dye in the toilet tank. (Food coloring works well, however we recommend flushing right after the test to avoid staining.) Avoid using the toilet while performing this test. If the toilet has a leak, you will typically see the color of the dye appear in the toilet bowl after about 20 minutes.
When you have a toilet leaking water from the tank to the bowl, it's often due to a malfunction of one of the mechanical components inside the tank. A worn, warped, or disintegrating flapper that doesn't form a good seal between the tank and bowl is a common cause of a toilet failing the dye test. These are usually simple DIY fixes, and you can usually find a kit at your local hardware store. Dye in the bowl can also be caused by a toilet's handle mechanisms, like a short chain, which are easy to replace. A malfunctioning fill valve can cause water to enter the bowl via its overflow tube. Replacement fill valves can seem more daunting than it is. These can be replaced by removing the old devices, inserting the replacement, and securing all components that may be playing a part in the leak.
If you suspect a leak, monitoring your home’s water meter will give you a definitive answer. The meter is often located beneath a cast iron manhole-type cover in your yard. Most IRUA customers have a white post in their yard, that is about 4 ft tall, near the manhole.
Start by turning off all water faucets and appliances (washing machine, dishwasher, etc.) in the structure.
Check the water meter and make a note of the numbers on the dials. You may have to flip up the top cover to display the meter head display. After an hour or so, return to the meter and note the reading again. If the numbers have changed, there’s a leak somewhere. You will likely also see the meter spinning or numbers changing if water is moving through the meter quickly enough.
To determine if the water leak is in the structure or the service line, turn off the shut-off valve on the interior water service line. This is located where the service line enters the home and is often found in the basement or a utility room.
Observe and note the reading on the meter. After about an hour, return to the meter and note the reading. If the numbers have not changed, this indicates that water leak is inside the structure. If the numbers have changed, the leak is in the underground service line that runs from the meter pit to the structure.
IRUA maintains its water mains, service lines that run from its mains to each meter pit, meter pits, and metering equipment. If usage is shown on the meter during leak testing, this means the water is moving through the meter, and leaking somewhere along the private service line, or the structure. Anything beyond the meter pit is the property owner’s responsibility to install, maintain, and repair.
While we remain committed to assisting our customers to the best of our ability, we cannot repair private service lines or check for leaks.
We recommend calling your preferred plumber to locate a leak in your service line or structure.