LEAK ADVICE
Leak Detection Advice
Below is a chart to help you understand how much water can be lost from even the tiniest leak. Please help us conserve water – fix all leaking pipes, toilets, and hoses or turn off water.
Please report any water main leaks to us immediately at 903-663-1447. Do not assume that someone else has called first!
Leak Detection Advice:
• Locate the water meter: Generally found towards the front of your property, near the road. Once you have found the meter, you can turn off the water to repair any leaks using your cut-off valve. If you cannot find your meter, please call our office.
• Check your meter: Turn off all water inside (dishwasher, washing machine, etc.) and outside the home (sprinklers). Locate the silver spinner in the middle of the display and/or the red dial on your meter register. If either one is spinning, water is moving through the meter which is an indication there is a leak somewhere on the property.
• Check your service line running from the meter to the house: While this may sound difficult, you can save money if you can locate the leak for the plumber. If you know you have a shut-off valve by the house, shut it off temporarily and check the meter by removing the lid and watching the dial on top of the meter register. You might have to remove grass/dirt off the top to be able to see the dial. If the silver spinner (leak indicator) is moving, the leak will be somewhere between the meter and the house. If it is not moving, the leak will be somewhere in the house. Signs of a leak between the meter and the house are usually: soft muddy areas, patches of greener grass/grass growing faster than other spots. If you see obvious signs, call a plumber or make the repair yourself.
• Check any inside or outside faucets, irrigation system, or pool: Look at hoses, taps, faucets, and irrigation systems. A slow drip can waste as much as 170 gallons of water each day!
• Check all toilets for leaks: Remove the top off the tank (top part of the toilet) and listen very closely. If you hear any hissing at all, try to locate where it is coming from. If you locate the area where the leak is coming from, determine if you can fix it. If not, call a plumber. You can also add food coloring to the tank and if any of it leaks out into the bowl (where you sit), it usually will be an indication to change out the flapper. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day. It is estimated that nearly 20% of all toilets leak.
• Check the showerhead for leaks: Do not assume the water droplets in your shower or tub are left over from your intended use.
• Follow the money: Compare your water bill with past bills to see if it is larger than usual.
• Hot Water Tanks: Check the Pressure Relief Valve on the hot water tank. Sometimes these valves are plumbed directly into a drain and may be leaking without your knowledge. If you cannot remove the drainpipe to check for a leak, listen for a hissing sound. This could be an indication of a leak.
