<h2><span style="font-size: 18pt;">How to Check for a Water Leak</span></h2>
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<p>Finding water leaks can save you water, which means saving money on  water and sewer bills.&nbsp; HPS technicians are professionaly trained in leak location and repair.&nbsp; If you suspect a leak at your residence <a target="_blank" title="Contact HPS Plumbing" href="index.php?option=com_contact&amp;view=contact&amp;catid=1:hps-mechanical-contacts&amp;id=1-flying">Call Us Immediately</a> for a free leak assessment.&nbsp; Follow these easy steps to determine if you have a  leak in a domestic or a sprinkler irrigation system.</p>
<p><strong>Step 1. </strong>Turn all water-using appliances off so that  no water is being used. This means turning off all water inside and  outside the house including showers, sinks, washing machines and any  appliance that uses water. If you have a sprinkler irrigation system,  turn off the controller and manually shut off the two valves at the  double check valve assembly (DCVA) to isolate the irrigation system.&nbsp;<em>&nbsp;</em></p>
<p><img style="text-align: right; float: right;" src="http://www.lcra.org/library/media/public/images/topics/meterbox.gif" alt="meter box cover" width="200" border="0" height="154" /><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Step 2. </strong>Take the lid off the meter box and  lift the protective cover. <strong>(Photo at right.)<br clear="right" /> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Watch the meter.</strong> Your meter will have a triangular  red or silver and black round disc that is commonly called a “leak  indicator.”</p>
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<td style="text-align: left;"><img style="text-align: right;" src="http://www.lcra.org/library/media/public/images/topics/meter_w_red_triangle2.jpg" alt="water meter" width="205" border="0" height="190" /></td>
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<td style="text-align: left;" class="image-caption">Water meter with red triangle leak  indicator.</td>
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<li><br />If it is spinning, you have a leak. If there is no indicator and  the actual meter dial hand is moving, water is running somewhere in  your system and you have a leak – go to step 3.</li>
<li>If the hand is not moving, note the position of the hand and  wait 10 minutes. Check the meter again, if it has moved, you have a slow  leak - go to step 3. If not, you do not have a leak.</li>
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<p><strong>Step. 3. </strong>Locate the main shut-off valve<em> </em>to the house. This is usually located close to the  meter box.</p>
<p><strong>Step 4.</strong> Turn off the valve by turning it to the right.</p>
<p><strong>Step 5.</strong> Turn on a faucet inside the house to test.</p>
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<li>If water still flows from the faucet after several seconds, the  shut off valve is not working.</li>
<li>If no water flows through the faucet, the shut off valve is  working. Return to the meter.</li>
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<td style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://www.lcra.org/library/media/public/images/topics/meterodometer.gif" alt="water meter" width="205" border="0" height="200" /></td>
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<td style="text-align: left;" class="image-caption">Another type of water meter.</td>
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<p><strong>Step 6. </strong>Check if the meter’s leak indicators hand is  moving.</p>
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<li>If the leak indicator or dial hand is still moving, water is  flowing between the meter and the shut-off valve. That means you have a  leak between the meter and the customer-side shut-off valve.</li>
<li>If it is not moving, then you have a leak between the  customer-side shut-off valve and possibly somewhere in the house. Check  toilets, washing machines, faucets, etc., for any leak.</li>
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<div><strong>Step 7. To check a toilet for a leak</strong> : Flush the  toilet and while the reservoir is still filling, add 2 or 3 drops of  food coloring to the water in the reservoir.</div>
<p><strong><img style="float: left;" src="http://www.lcra.org/library/media/public/images/topics/dyetablets.jpg" alt="dye tablets in bowl" width="205" height="134" /><br style="clear: left;" /></strong></p>
<br />Wait 15-30 minutes. If the water in the bowl  changes colors,<br />the flapper valve<em> </em>needs to be replaced.
<p><img style="text-align: left;" src="http://www.lcra.org/library/media/public/images/topics/bluedyeinbowl.jpg" alt="toilet bowl with blue dye" width="205" border="0" height="201" /></p>
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<td style="text-align: left;"><strong><img src="http://www.lcra.org/library/media/public/images/topics/toiletflappervalve.jpg" alt="toilet flapper valve" width="205" border="0" height="195" /></strong></td>
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<td style="text-align: left;" class="image-caption">In leaky toilets,  the flapper  valve often needs to be replaced.</td>
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