Find Main Water Line Leak

Water traveling through pipes makes distinct noises.

Find main water line leak. Acoustic water leak detection. Start by checking for this valve along an outside wall in a utility area of the house or in the basement. If the small leak dial on the meter is moving at all water is. 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.

Fortunately there are several techniques available. Testing accurately for a main water line leak is usually fairly simple and it involves no special skills or tools. This means a water supply line leak can go undetected for too long but do you know how to find a water leak underground. Splashing indicates that water is flowing around the outside of the pipe.

A water main leak can be impossible to see with the naked eye because there may be several feet of earth and pavement covering it. This will cut off all water supplied to your house. 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. When a pipe ruptures and the leaking water has nowhere to go it will bubble up into the street.

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. Learn the different sounds water pipes make so you can find the source of your water line 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. The copper pipe from your shutoff valve goes into the ground and becomes pvc pipe.

The most common sign in becoming aware of a water leak is observing a stream of water. When homeowners notice bubbling water in the street it is advisable to get plumbing services immediately. 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.

If you do observe a water leak it does not necessarily mean it is your pipe that is leaking. Water always seeks its way towards the weakest point in the ground or through a wall. Water in the street this is perhaps one of the most common signs of a leaking main water line. This junction or fitting can crack and leak.

Copper to pvc connection on water main. 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. Locate your home s shut off valve.