Find Main Water Line Leak

The sounds leaking water makes in a water line are the key to finding an underground leak.

Find main water line leak.

When a pipe ruptures and the leaking water has nowhere to go it will bubble up into the street. If you do observe a water leak it does not necessarily mean it is your pipe that is leaking. This junction or fitting can crack and leak. Acoustic water leak detection.

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. Fortunately there are several techniques available. Splashing indicates that water is flowing around the outside of the pipe. 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.

Copper to pvc connection on water main. The stream of water may become apparent through the foundation wall coming up on your property or in the roadway. 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.

Locate your home s shut off valve. Water always seeks its way towards the weakest point in the ground or through a wall. When homeowners notice bubbling water in the street it is advisable to get plumbing services immediately. Water leaks in your home s main service line almost always occur at a fitting or joint in the pipe.

The third step involves sounding out for a leak. Water traveling through pipes makes distinct noises. Start by checking for this valve along an outside wall in a utility area of the house or in the basement. 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.

To test the main water line for a leak follow these simple steps. If the small leak dial on the meter is moving at all water is. 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 line is leaking shut off the main water valve to the house and remove the cover on the water meter box. Cut off water to your house by turning off the shut off valve. The most common sign in becoming aware of a water leak is observing a stream of water. Learn the different sounds water pipes make so you can find the source of your water line leak.