//Glossary
Water meter test
A simple check for a hidden leak: turn off every fixture and appliance, then watch the water meter. If the low-flow indicator or the dial keeps moving, water is leaving the system somewhere.
Can I do this myself?
Yes, and it is the first thing to try when a bill jumps. Make sure the ice maker, irrigation and any recirculation pump are off. A moving meter with everything off is a real leak; the next step is locating it, not guessing.
Guides that use this term
- › How electronic leak detection works: finding a leak without opening walls
- › Slab leaks in Orange County homes: signs, causes, and the repair options
- › Home plumbing maintenance checklist: five habits that catch leaks and clogs early
- › Outdoor and yard plumbing: hose bibs, yard lines, the regulator and the gas run to the BBQ
- › Plumbing in a slab-foundation home: what is under the floor and what that changes
- › Mobile home plumbing: under-floor lines, low clearance and the fittings that are different
- › Water meter spinning or a high water bill: how to confirm a hidden leak
- › Running toilet: why it keeps filling and when it is a bigger leak
- › What leak detection costs, and why the number is not on this page
- › DIY vs calling a plumber: what you can safely do yourself, and what you should not
Related terms
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