The first thing HWSA suggests to our customers is check your toilets for a leak. Toilets are the number one cause for a spike in usage - yes you read that right, in 90% of all high usage inquiries the culprit is a toilet. Check toilets today with dye tablets or food coloring to find leaks you may not physically be able to see or hear.
Second, check your meter. Do you know where your meter is located? Typically meters are located in a basement, utility closet or crawl space. Once you have located your meter you must determine the best time to accomodate your test, HWSA typically recommends in the evening when everyone in the home has gone to bed for the evening, but it can be any time the water is not being used for a lengthy time period.
- Step 1: To begin the test simply write down the numbers on the meter (or take a picture with your cell phone)
- Step 2: Make sure no one uses any water during the test period - no washing hands, no flushing toilets, no washing clothes, showers, etc.
- Step 3: Return to the meter after the selected time period has elapsed - write down the numbers on the meter (or take a picture with your cell phone)
- Step 4: Compare the first read with the second read - if there is a difference you have a leak