Get to Know Your H2O
A dripping faucet is hard to ignore. But what about a toilet that quietly leaks into the bowl or an irrigation line leaking underground? Some water leaks make noise. Others can go unnoticed until you spot a damp cabinet, a soggy patch of lawn, or an unexpected increase in water use.
As colder weather arrives and outdoor watering winds down, take a few minutes to get familiar with your home’s water use—and look for leaks indoors and out.
Your Water Bill Can Offer a Clue
If your water use is increasing but your household routine hasn’t changed, a hidden leak could be the reason.
Look at the amount of water used, not just the dollar total. Rates, fees, and the number of days in a billing period can affect your bill. Compare your use with a similar period, such as the same month last year, and consider changes like houseguests, extra laundry, or outdoor watering.
An unexplained increase is a reason to investigate.
Start With Fixtures and Visible Plumbing
Check faucets, showerheads, and hose connections for drips. Open the cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks and look for dampness, puddles, or water stains around pipes and connections.
Leaks aren’t always easy to hear, so use your eyes, too. Moisture that returns after you dry an area deserves a closer look.
Give Toilets a Simple Dye Test
A toilet can leak from its tank into the bowl without making an obvious sound. A dye test can help reveal it:
- Add a few drops of food coloring or a toilet leak detection tablet to the tank.
- Wait 10 minutes without flushing.
- Check the bowl. If color appears, water is leaking from the tank into the bowl.
- Flush afterward to help prevent staining.
If you find a leak, check the toilet’s components or contact a qualified plumber for help.
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Look Outside Before Winter
Outdoor leaks can be harder to spot, especially when they happen underground. Look for dripping hose connections, pooling around sprinkler heads, or unusually wet ground.
As you prepare your irrigation system for winter, address suspected leaks and follow local winterization guidance. If your system is already winterized, avoid turning it back on just to check for leaks; an irrigation professional can help determine the next step.
Use Your Meter to Check for Hidden Water Use
Your water meter can help you identify a possible leak even when you can’t see one.
Choose a two-hour period when no water will be used. Make sure faucets, appliances, irrigation, and other automatic water-using equipment won’t run during that time. Record the meter reading at the beginning and check it again at the end.
If the reading changes, water has moved through the meter. When all intentional water use has been ruled out, that could indicate a leak.
If your water provider offers an online usage portal or leak alerts, those tools may also help you spot unusual patterns.
Know When to Ask for Help
If you suspect a leak but can’t locate it, contact your water provider for help understanding your usage or meter readings. A qualified plumber or irrigation professional can help locate and repair the problem.
You don’t have to hear a leak to find one. Watching your water use and checking your fixtures, plumbing, and irrigation system can help you catch problems before more water goes to waste.
Learn more: EPA WaterSense—Home Maintenance.