As certain components of your interior plumbing system get older, leaks can develop. The most common leaks are not necessarily obvious or as easily detected as a dripping faucet or a puddle on the floor. Although these elusive leaks do not pose an immediate threat of damage to your home, they have the potential to cause high water bills and unnecessary water waste.

The best way to detect leaks in your home is by performing a simple water meter check. Each residential or commercial water meter in the Village has a red triangular device called a “flow indicator” located on the head of the unit. The flow indicator spins in a clockwise direction whenever water is being consumed. In order to conduct a leak test utilizing the flow indicator, first ensure that absolutely no water is being used. Then go to your water meter and check the status of the flow indicator. If all known sources of water are off and you notice the flow indicator spinning, then you have a leak in your plumbing system.

The lead contributor for this type of leak is the toilet, specifically the “flapper gasket valve” found in the tank. This valve supplies water from the tank into the bowl when you flush and is designed to create a water-tight seal afterwards. As this valve gets older, it tends to warp and allow a continuous flow of water from the tank into the bowl. This is a leak that you will not see and rarely hear. When this occurs, there is little to no warning before you notice a significantly higher water bill. A flapper gasket valve is easy to replace, readily available at most hardware stores, and only costs $3 to $5 on average.