Mayfield Electric & Water Systems

Water Leaks

A very small diameter continuous leak can result in the loss of thousands of gallons of water in a month. Click here to see just how much might be going drown your drain.

Finding a leak is often a process of elimination. Perform the following tests to find leaks in your home.

Make sure no water is being used inside or out.

Shut off automatic pool filters, sink faucets, washers, and dishwashers.

Locate your water meter.

About 90% of all residential water meters are located in the front of the house. The first step is to check your water meter for movement. Look at the top of the meter. You'll notice a red triangle. It is called a flow indicator. The red flow indicator will move whenever water is passing through the meter. If your meter doesn't have a flow indicator, you can use the sweep hand on the register to indicate water loss. If either the flow indicator or sweep hand is moving, you may have a leak.

Check your toilets.

Shut off one toilet at a time using the shut off valves on the back of each toilet. After you shut off the first toilet, go outside to the water meter and check the red flow indicator. If the red triangle is still moving, that toilet is not the problem. Something else is causing the leak. If the flow indicator stopped moving, that means that toilet is your culprit. If that toilet was not the problem then follow the same procedures for the rest of the toilets in your house. If the flow indicator did not stop turning after checking all your toilets then move on to the next step.

Check your sprinkler system.

Shut off the anti-siphon valve that serves your sprinkler system. Check the red flow indicator at the water meter. If the flow indicator stopped moving after you shut off your sprinkler system, then that is most likely the cause of your water leak. If the flow indicator did not stop turning after checking your sprinkler system then move on to the next step.

Check your water softener.

Most softeners have a bypass lever. Turn the lever to allow water to bypass the softener. Check the red flow indicator at the water meter. If the flow indicator is no longer moving you have isolated the leak to your softener. (You can also check for leaking swamp coolers, water-cooled air conditioners, ice machines and reverse osmosis units by turning the bypass lever to each system and then checking the meter.) If you still haven't found the problem then move on to the next step.

Check your main service line.

If you still haven't found the problem by now, try checking the main service line.

Find the Water Shut Off Valve to your home. It could be where the water supply enters your home, in your front yard, in your garage, or near your water heater. Shut off this valve, which will turn off all water to your home. Turn on a faucet to make sure there is no water flowing to your home. Turn the faucet back off then check your water meter. If the red flow indicator is still moving, the leak is most likely between the shut off valve and the water meter.

Let us help.

If you need help determining if you have a leak, we can come out during regular working hours and take a look at your water meter and help you verify if it shows a leak. You will, however, need a professional plumber or someone else to help you actually find the leak in your home.

Repairs

If you found the water leak, you may be able to fix it yourself. Repairs to toilets and faucets can often be fairly simple. Other leaks may require a professional plumber. Don't get in over your head. If you're not sure that you can fix it, call a professional.

Sewer Adjustments

Once you get your leak fixed, bring in your plumbing bill and we will allow one sewer adjustment per calendar year for unavoidable water leaks. Since the water from this leak often does not enter the sewer system, we will adjust one monthly sewer bill to a normal amount.

For More Information Contact:

Mayfield Electric & Water Systems
301 East Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066
Tel: 270-247-4661
FAX: 270-247-0550
Internet: jcre@mayfieldews.com

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