Find Main Water Line Leak

To determine if the water leak is in the house or outdoors only for homes with meters located at the street turn off the shut off valve on your home s main water supply pipe.

Find main water line leak.

On almost all buildings in nyc there is a water meter that has a valve on the street side and the house side of the meter as that is the code. Cut off water to your house by turning off the shut off valve. The stream of water may become apparent through the foundation wall coming up on your property or in the roadway. Water leaks in your home s main service line almost always occur at a fitting or joint in the pipe.

Copper to pvc connection on water main. If you do observe a water leak it does not necessarily mean it is your pipe that is leaking. Fortunately there are several techniques available. To determine if the water line is leaking shut off the main water valve to the house and remove the cover on the water meter box.

The most common sign in becoming aware of a water leak is observing a stream of water. If the small leak dial on the meter is moving at all water is. The third step involves sounding out for a leak. Water always seeks its way towards the weakest point in the ground or through a wall.

Learn the different sounds water pipes make so you can find the source of your water line leak. Water in the street this is perhaps one of the most common signs of a leaking main water line. The copper pipe from your shutoff valve goes into the ground and becomes pvc pipe. This means a water supply line leak can go undetected for too long but do you know how to find a water leak underground.

This junction or fitting can crack and leak. This will cut off all water supplied to your house. When a pipe ruptures and the leaking water has nowhere to go it will bubble up into the street. When homeowners notice bubbling water in the street it is advisable to get plumbing services immediately.

If that is not possible get a small metal rod or screwdriver and place one end on the main water line and the other end on your ear. Acoustic water leak detection. The sounds leaking water makes in a water line are the key to finding an underground leak. To check for a main water line leak is to listen to the line as close to the point where it exits the house as possible ideally you should place your ear directly on the water main.

Locate your home s shut off valve. Start by checking for this valve along an outside wall in a utility area of the house or in the basement. Water traveling through pipes makes distinct noises. To test the main water line for a leak follow these simple steps.