Most homeowners find their water bill remains fairly consistent throughout the year. If there’s suddenly a significant increase in what you owe, and you haven’t had excessive water usage, such as watering a newly laid lawn, watering a garden during a dry spell, or filling a swimming pool, you may have a water leak. Understanding how to read a water meter is the first step to determine if you have a leak.
Checking a Water Meter
The water meter is secured in the ground with a metal plate covering the hole. It is usually located on the front of your property near the sidewalk or street so that utility workers can easily access and read the meter. Many times, the metal plate becomes covered in dirt, grass, or weeds, which makes it a challenge to find if you don’t already know where it’s located on your property.
Any dirt or other growth must be removed from the metal plate before you attempt to remove the lid. Otherwise you may end up covering the water meter with debris. The metal plate is then removed using a screwdriver or other tool to lift the plate and expose the meter inside.
How to Read a Water Meter
A water meter consists of two gauges. One monitors the water usage, and the other, which looks like a triangle, is used to determine a leak. Before you read the meter, all water supplies must be turned off and out of use. This includes washing machines, dishwashers, showers, and sprinklers.
Once all water usage is stopped, you can check the meter. If the triangle continues to spin, this is an indicator of a leak. A leak can occur almost anywhere, including an outdoor faucet, inside faucet, shower valve, or toilet.
Call the Plumber
When a leak is detected, you’ll need to call a licensed plumber to locate the problematic valve, faucet, spigot, or fixture. Some items can be repaired, and others must be replaced:
- Repair broken or damaged pipes inside or outside
- Replace leaking bathroom or kitchen sink faucets, bathtub faucets, or shower heads
- Replace valves to the toilet or replace the fixture if it’s cracked
With over 50 years of combined experience backing us up, the Pink Plumber has the knowledge to provide you with helpful information and the professional experience to address repairs, replacements, and installations quickly and efficiently.
For answers to your questions, call The Pink Plumber today.
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