Water Issues
Checking for Leaks
- Your water meter is the most important device in your home to check for water leaks. To see if you have a water leak:
- Turn off all taps around your home and automatic water softeners, humidifiers, sprinkler systems, etc.
- Ask everyone to avoid using water (e.g., going to the washroom or turning on a tap) for the next 15 minutes.
- Find your water meter. It is usually located in the basement, near an outside wall.
- Note the meter reading on your Meter.
- Wait 15 minutes.
- If there are new numbers displayed when you read your meter, you have a leak somewhere inside your home or from your outdoor water taps or underground sprinkler system.
- The most common area for water leaks is your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and outdoors
Bathroom
- Toilets
- Take the lid off the tank.
- Squirt a drop of dark food coloring into the water.
- DO NOT FLUSH THE TOILET for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Check the toilet bowl for colored water; if present, your toilet is leaking.
- Taps
- Check to see if taps are dripping; if so, replace the washer in the faucet.
- Check for damp areas around your faucet or water lines to see if a leak is present.
- Check to see if taps are dripping; if so, replace the washer in the faucet.
- Check for damp areas around your faucet or water lines to your dishwasher or fridge to see if a leak is present.
- Check to see if the taps leading to your washing machine are dripping. If so, replace the washer in the faucet.
- Ensure your water softener has enough salt in it; the softener may keep trying to ‘regenerate’ the brine when there is no salt, resulting in wasted water.
- Fix any leaks in your garden hose.
- Replace worn out washers in garden nozzles and sprinklers.
- Check for moist spots in your lawn on days you have not watered; constantly damp grass may indicate a leak in your underground sprinkler.