Homeowners 101: Reading the Water Meter
March 22 is World Water Day, and March is also a great month to take care of your home's water health. This includes checking for hidden underground leaks, tightening loose taps, or even replacing your toilet's water valve. In the United States, the average household consumes slightly more than 10,000 gallons of water per month, and 10% of this is wasted due to plumbing leaks and running toilets. As a result, household water leaks in the country waste more than a trillion gallons of water annually. Read on to find out how to read your water meter to determine if you have a hidden leak somewhere.
While it is possible that an inaccurate meter may cause a rise in water usage, the more probable cause is a leak in the buried water pipe connecting the meter to the house, a pipe under the house, or the lawn irrigation system. To check for a plumbing leak, the water meter should be monitored. To do this, turn off all water sources, including those inside and outside the house, and examine the flow indicator on the water meter. If it moves, it indicates a leak somewhere in the house or yard.
Meter with no Flow Indicator?
If the water meter does not have a flow indicator or if the quantity of leaking water needs to be determined, record the numbers and dials that appear on the meter and check them again after an hour. Older water meters may have small dials indicating the unit of measure, which should be noted to obtain an accurate reading. If a leak is discovered, the location must be identified, which may involve examining the yard, crawlspace, or concrete slab.
If no leak is indicated by the water meter, it may be necessary to contact the water company to verify that the meter is working correctly. It is advisable to examine the flow indicator on the water meter for leaks every few months, even if there is no noticeable increase in water usage.
Monitor The Water Meter
To detect plumbing leaks, the most effective method is to monitor the water meter. The following steps can be taken to do this:
1. Turn off all water: Ensure that no water is being used inside or outside your house, including irrigation, toilets, washers, dishwashers, faucets, icemakers, and automatic backflow cleaning in whole house water filters.
2. Check the flow indicator: Open the cover on the water meter at the street to see if there is a flow indicator. The flow indicator is a small rotating wheel on the meter that can detect even the slightest water flow. If the flow indicator is moving, it indicates that there is a leak somewhere in your house or yard.
In some older water meters, there are small dials for each digit with numbers indicating the unit of measure. For instance, a dial that reads 8 with the number 100 printed next to it should be read as 800 and recorded as an 8 in the hundred place of the meter reading.
It is important to check your toilets and taps for leaks as you go about your daily home life. But sometimes leaks can go undetected without additional inspections. A soggy spot in the yard, loss of water pressure, or dirt in your water source can be signs of a leak somewhere. Checking the water meter is the easiest way to determine if there is a leak.
Happy Home Health!
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