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How do I check for a water leak?

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sfby | 15:27 Tue 21st Aug 2012 | Home & Garden
13 Answers
I expect that in the next couple of years we will be "persuaded to have a water meter fitted.

That's fine in principle (there's only 2 of us), but I have a suspicion that we may have a leak between the water main (outside the garden) and the house, and that when a meter is fitted we would be paying for water that's disappearing under the garden.

Any (cheap) ideas how I would go about checking whether this is the case?

TIA
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The only way you're going to be sure, is with a pressure test.
This isn't as complicated as it looks. Simply turn off the water supply to your house (outside in the pavement/garden), then connect the tester to the rising main.
You'll have to find where it comes in, and disconnect it from the house plumbing.
Pump up and watch the...
15:38 Tue 21st Aug 2012
Why do you suspect there is a leak.
You will be able to check quite easily when your meter is fitted.
If you suspect a leak why have you never reported it?
If there's a leak you should be able to hear a low 'roaring' sound in the pipes. That's what I heard and the leak was near the meter about 20 feet from the house.
Question Author
tony - because the soakaway on the drive has become less effective in the last couple of years - maybe a sign of excess water under there?

kat - that's what I'm trying to avoid!!

eccles - 'cos it's not a major problem at the moment - more of a minor inconvenience.

sandy - I haven't heard anything, but I'll stick my ear to the ground tonight...
I heard the noise in the pipes inside the house.
The only way you're going to be sure, is with a pressure test.
This isn't as complicated as it looks. Simply turn off the water supply to your house (outside in the pavement/garden), then connect the tester to the rising main.
You'll have to find where it comes in, and disconnect it from the house plumbing.
Pump up and watch the guage.

http://www.hss.com/g/...-Pressure-Tester.html
It might not be a problem for you but it is an unnecessary waste of water, a call to the water company would be no trouble.
If not a roaring sound, then a hiss. Even a pinhole leak will make a noise like steam escaping. You should be able to hear it from inside the house next to the cold water pipework.
Do the right think and get the water board to check - I had a leak and I was wasting three bathfuls of water every hour. Waste of good water, and doing no good to your foundations, etc.
No such thing as water boards since 1974!
Give your water supplier a ring and tell them you have a "suspected leak" - they will investigate and it won't take long to do.
You may not have a leak at all ...
Soakaways do become less effective over the years.
Question Author
Thanks for your answers - I appreciate I should "do the right thing" about wasting water, but I can't afford to dig up 20 meters of lawn / driveway in order to find / fix it just at the moment!

I'll probably go down the pressure-test route & see what the results are.

Ta

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