Information on Detecting Water Leaks

Use your water meter to check for leaks.

YouTube video on how to read Your meter

The best way too determine if you have a leak in your plumbing system, is by first checking your water meter. If you do not know where your meter is located you can call customer service at (863) 471-5112 to get your meter location.

1. Make sure no water is being used inside or outside of your house.
2. Locate your water meter and check the leak indicator to see if it is moving. If the small silver wheel is moving, chances are, you have a leak. 

Meter box cover (This in normally located toward property line in front or back yard.)IMG_7098


Meter register cover, located center of meter box (sometimes can be covered with dirt due to rain water draining into box.)IMG_7093

Meter register (leak indicator show below.)

IMG_7094

All water is off and the indicator is moving, now what?

After you have determined that you have a leak, the next step is to determine if the leak is inside or outside of your house.

  1. Locate your home's main shut off valve if equipped and shut off the water at the valve. Typically, you will find the shut off valve if you walk from meter in a straight line towards house, usually attached to house outside below an outdoor faucet.
  2. Again, check the leak indicator for movement. If the leak indicator stops moving, then you have a leak inside of the house. If the leak indicator continues to move, then the leak is outside between the meter and the house.
  3. If you are unable to locate the leak, you may need to call a plumber.

Normal causes of leaks are:

1.  Leaking faucets are generally a result of a worn rubber washer.

2. Toilet leaks can waste hundreds of gallons and often times are silent. Even a small leak can add up to a lot of wasted water and money over time. Fortunately, most toilet leaks are easy and inexpensive to repair. The most common reason for a leaking toilet is one that has an improperly working or sealing flapper. 

3. Finding Other Water Leaks - The water you drink and bathe with is delivered under pressure, so a leak can be very obvious most times. Be aware that the exact location of a leak may not always be immediately obvious. Some leaks may start at one location, then flow along a ledge or other channel for a distance before they drain down and create some visible damage. Look for wet, warped or discoloration stains on your ceilings, floors, walls and woodwork (such as the bottom of your kitchen or bathroom sink cabinet.)

4. Underground Leak Detection - Look (and feel) for portions of your property that are always wet. Look at your driveway, curb or street for evidence of water flow. The evidence may not be a steady stream of water; it may only be a puddle that never dries up, or a darker spot (as in what happens when water has spilled on dry concrete.)