How do I check for a water leak?

[sfby]

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

[tonyav]

Why do you suspect there is a leak.

[kat1]

You will be able to check quite easily when your meter is fitted.

[EcclesCake]

If you suspect a leak why have you never reported it?

[sandyRoe]

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.

[sfby]

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...

[sandyRoe]

I heard the noise in the pipes inside the house.

[The Builder]

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

[EcclesCake]

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.

[heathfield]

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.

[boxtops]

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.

[gingejbee]

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.

[alavahalf]

You may not have a leak at all ...
Soakaways do become less effective over the years.

[sfby]

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