How to determine if you have a leak
You can use your water meter to check for leaks. Follow the steps below, or find a step–by–step instruction video above.
- Turn off all water–using appliances and fixtures in your home and yard.
- Locate your water meter. Water meters are usually in the parking strip or sidewalk at the front or side of your house.
- Remove the meter box cover. The meter itself has a cover.* Open the cover to view the dial. If the dial is muddy, clean it with a damp cloth.
- Look at the “low flow indicator” (see Figure 1) to see if it is moving. If the indicator is still, you don’t have a leak. If the indicator is moving, you have a leak.
*If you are not sure you have the right meter, make sure the meter number on this cover matches the meter number on your water bill.
Locate a Leak
Follow these steps to locate a leak:
- Locate and close the main water shut–off valve for your house. The shut–off valve can be indoors or outdoors–usually in a basement, crawlspace, or garage.
- To make sure the indoor water is shut off, turn on an indoor faucet and see if the water stops running.
- Check your water meter. If the “low flow indicator” stops moving, your leak is inside the house. If it does not stop moving, your leak is outdoors.
- If you do not have an irrigation system, your leak is on your water service line between the meter and the house.
- If you do have an irrigation system, shut off the water to the system and check your meter. If the “low flow indicator” (see Figure 1) stops moving, your leak is in your irrigation system. If it does not stop moving, your leak is on your water service line between the meter and the house.
Fix a Leak
Indoor Leaks
To locate an indoor leak, check water–using fixtures like toilets and faucets. For helpful step–by–step videos on finding and fixing common household leaks, go to: www.savingwater.org/indoors/fixing-leaks
You will find videos on:
- Fixing a leaky toilet
- Fixing a leaky indoor faucet
- Fixing a leaky outdoor faucet
Outdoor Leaks
For all outdoor leaks, we suggest you contact a professional plumber. An experienced and knowledgeable plumber can help minimize the amount of digging necessary to find and fix outdoor leaks. Remember to call for utility locates (dial 811) before any digging.
Leak Billing Adjustments
SPU offers billing adjustments for most types ofleaks. To learn more about leak billing adjustments, go to: www.seattle.gov/util/highbill and click on “Leak Adjustments.”
Please note: if your leak is outdoors and underground, you must have the leak repair inspected and approved by SPU before covering the repair back up.
If you have questions about the leak adjustment program or need to schedule a repair inspection, call the SPU Utility Service Team at 206-684-5800.
Who to call for leak detection services?
You can always count on Best Plumbing for expert and emergency Leak Detection Services. We are available 24/7 to ensure the safety of your home and family. If you are in need of our services, please don’t hesitate to call the number below.
