As common as leaks are, they have a huge potential to be disastrous physically and financially. As a homeowner, you should know how to locate leaks quickly before they become a serious problem causing property damage and driving up the cost of your water bill.
Some of the most common areas for leaks are kitchen sinks, hose bibs, hot water tanks and toilets.
One of the most common leaks is silent toilet leaks. An easy way to check your toilets is by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank. Do not flush. If the color begins to appear in the bowl within 15-20 minutes, you have a leak. Typically, this can be a do-it-yourself repair by replacing the flapper in the tank.
Another good way to check if you have a leak is to do an overnight meter read. Write down the reading on your meter before going to bed (make sure no water gets used overnight). Read the meter again in the morning before you use any water. If the numbers change, you may have a leak. You can also do this when you are going to be out of the house for the day.
Most of the water meters in use today have a flow detector on them. On dial meters, the flow detector is a small red triangle inside a bubble located under the numbers on the meter. When you are using water, the triangle spins. If you are not running anything that uses water and the triangle is spinning, you probably have a leak. On digital meters, leak indicators show the image of a faucet. On newer dial meters, there is a small dial with a red indicator line. If the indicator line moves when you are not using water, you likely have a leak.
Here is a list of some other common sources of water leaks. Regular maintenance of these items can prevent large bills and potential water damage:
Plumbing fixtures – Check supply lines to your sinks and washing machines to ensure they are intact.
Outdoor spigots – Make sure spigots close completely and that hoses are not dripping. Winterize spigots by shutting off supply lines in the basement.
Sprinkler systems – Check timer boxes to ensure they are set properly, especially after power outages. Note any wet areas in the lawn. Contact your irrigation company to review the system.
Backup sump pumps – Some backup sump pumps use water flow as a means to activate the pumping system. While this is effective in a power outage, extended outages can cause increased bills, especially if the backup system continues to operate after the electricity is restored.
Humidifiers – Humidifiers should be cleaned regularly and examined to ensure there isn’t water leakage.
Water softeners – Water softeners can malfunction during regeneration cycles. Check your owner’s manual for maintenance requirements.
If your water service is provided by the Water Resources Commissioner, we are here to help you. There’s assistance available If you have experienced a leak that resulted in a high water bill, there may be an adjustment consideration process based on the following criteria:
- Requests must be made in writing
- Repair receipts must accompany requests
- Usage has returned to typical levels
You can submit your request at the following link: https://forms.oakgov.com/238
However, if your water is not serviced by the WRC you will need to contact your municipality to inquire about potential billing adjustments.
Written by Water Affordability Coordinator Demar Byas.
The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office is dedicated to protecting public health and safety, preserving natural resources and a healthy environment, maintaining reliable, high-quality service, ensuring the value of investment and contributing to economic prosperity. To learn more about the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash’s Office and his work, follow along with them on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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