Seasonal upkeep
Check the water meter for hidden leaks
With every tap and appliance off, watch the meter's leak dial for 10 minutes. If it moves, check toilets first (food coloring in the tank shows a leaking flapper), then call a plumber.
- How often
- Twice a year
- When
- February, August
- Who and what it costs
- DIY · 15 minutes
What to look for
Turn off all faucets, the dishwasher, washer, ice maker and sprinklers. Find the meter (often in the basement, or in a box near the street) and watch the small leak dial, usually a triangle or star, for 10 minutes. Or write down the reading, use no water for 2 hours, and read it again.
Why it matters
A meter that creeps with everything off means water is leaking somewhere you can't see: a running toilet, a dripping pipe in a wall, or a broken line outside. Hidden leaks rot framing and grow mold.
What a fix costs if you find a problem
Get this on your own house's plan
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