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Drainage & LeaksPlumbingAugust 01, 2024
Detecting Outdoor Plumbing Leaks
You’ve discovered standing water in your yard. What should you do? Call a plumber? A sprinkler repair man? Keep reading for help determining what to do if you notice puddles forming in your yard.
Alternatively, some areas have extremely high water tables. This means the soil won’t absorb rainwater as rapidly as expected. If your property sits in a valley or on a slope, the ground's contour could also affect the water flow.
If you know the flooding in your yard is not from natural causes, the next step is to determine if the leak is in your irrigation system or if there is a plumbing leak. The easiest way to decide whether or not you have an unseen plumbing problem is by checking your home’s water meter.
You might need a special key to remove the top of the meter box. If this is the case, you should be able to buy a key at your local Ace Hardware store. This is a special tool with a uniquely shaped head that fits into the opening on most water meter boxes. Turning the key counterclockwise will allow you to lift the heavy lid and remove it from the meter box. Place it to the side out of the way.
Once you open the lid, look at the meter. An analog meter will have a silver dial or a red triangle. This component will spin when water flows through the system. A spinning triangle or dial indicates water is passing through the meter; i.e., you have a leak and are being charged for water you are not using. Take note of how fast it is spinning. If the triangle or pinwheel is moving slowly, this usually indicates a minor leak, such as a running toilet. Faster spins indicate a more major leak that is easily identifiable.
A newer meter might have a digital display. A display of 000 indicates that there are no leaks in your home. Several 001 or higher suggest that you have leaks from plumbing equipment on your property.
If checking the meter determines that water is running, it’s time to look for the cause. Check all of the sinks and shower fixtures throughout your home. Don’t forget to check outdoor spigots for water leaks as well. Make sure to look at the pipes that are visible in your home.
Keep an eye out for water damage. Stains and mold suggest a leak even if you don’t see water during the inspection. When checking toilets, listen for a soft hissing sound. This indicates water flows even when the toilet hasn’t been recently flushed.
If you haven’t found an obvious leak or running water in your home, it’s time to consider other plumbing problems. This means determining whether there is a leak in the sprinkler system or your plumbing (potable water) system.
To find out whether you have leaks from the sprinkler system, you’ll need to keep an eye on the main water meter. Turn off the ball valve on the double-check valve on the irrigation system and check the main water meter. If the meter stops spinning or reverts to 000, you have confirmed the leak in the sprinkler system.
If the meter continues to spin or move beyond the 000 setting, the leak is in your main plumbing system. This explains why you have pooling water in your yard. Make sure to schedule service with a professional plumber right away.
If you know where the main water valve on your property is (probably in the meter box), you may want to turn off the water until you can arrange for a licensed plumber to make repairs. Your plumber will turn the valve back on after the repairs are complete.
You should never try to fix this type of plumbing leak yourself. In addition to making mistakes that could worsen your plumbing problems, you could contaminate your potable water. The potable water is the ready-to-drink water that comes through your faucets. Incorrectly fixing the leak could allow soil and other contaminants to pollute your water.
Consider Natural Causes of Outdoor Flooding
Standing water in the yard doesn’t always mean you have a plumbing problem, so consider the alternatives first. Your yard may need time to drain if we have had recent heavy rainfall. If you’ve been away from home and don’t know if it has rained, talk to a neighbor to see if wet weather has caused your yard to flood.Alternatively, some areas have extremely high water tables. This means the soil won’t absorb rainwater as rapidly as expected. If your property sits in a valley or on a slope, the ground's contour could also affect the water flow.
Leak Detection: Location of the Outdoor Plumbing Leak
If you see standing water in your yard, its location may help you discover its source.- The source of flooding in your home's front yard could be your water service line, which runs from the street to your home.
- If the puddling is close to the house, it could be the valve box.
- If it’s out by the sprinklers, double-check the valve; the leak could be at the T, where the sprinkler line is tied into the main water service.
- If the excess water is in the side yard of your home, the leak is most likely in the sprinkler system. Water supply lines do not go through this area.
Check Your Water Meter
If you know the flooding in your yard is not from natural causes, the next step is to determine if the leak is in your irrigation system or if there is a plumbing leak. The easiest way to decide whether or not you have an unseen plumbing problem is by checking your home’s water meter.
You might need a special key to remove the top of the meter box. If this is the case, you should be able to buy a key at your local Ace Hardware store. This is a special tool with a uniquely shaped head that fits into the opening on most water meter boxes. Turning the key counterclockwise will allow you to lift the heavy lid and remove it from the meter box. Place it to the side out of the way.
Once you open the lid, look at the meter. An analog meter will have a silver dial or a red triangle. This component will spin when water flows through the system. A spinning triangle or dial indicates water is passing through the meter; i.e., you have a leak and are being charged for water you are not using. Take note of how fast it is spinning. If the triangle or pinwheel is moving slowly, this usually indicates a minor leak, such as a running toilet. Faster spins indicate a more major leak that is easily identifiable.
A newer meter might have a digital display. A display of 000 indicates that there are no leaks in your home. Several 001 or higher suggest that you have leaks from plumbing equipment on your property.
Look for Running Faucets
If checking the meter determines that water is running, it’s time to look for the cause. Check all of the sinks and shower fixtures throughout your home. Don’t forget to check outdoor spigots for water leaks as well. Make sure to look at the pipes that are visible in your home.
Keep an eye out for water damage. Stains and mold suggest a leak even if you don’t see water during the inspection. When checking toilets, listen for a soft hissing sound. This indicates water flows even when the toilet hasn’t been recently flushed.
If you haven’t found an obvious leak or running water in your home, it’s time to consider other plumbing problems. This means determining whether there is a leak in the sprinkler system or your plumbing (potable water) system.
Water Leak Detection: Narrowing the Source
It’s time to check your irrigation or sprinkler system. The box for this system will be close to the main water meter box and have a green lid. Once you open the lid, you’ll see a double-check valve with two levers. The levers let you shut off water flow to the irrigation system.To find out whether you have leaks from the sprinkler system, you’ll need to keep an eye on the main water meter. Turn off the ball valve on the double-check valve on the irrigation system and check the main water meter. If the meter stops spinning or reverts to 000, you have confirmed the leak in the sprinkler system.
If the meter continues to spin or move beyond the 000 setting, the leak is in your main plumbing system. This explains why you have pooling water in your yard. Make sure to schedule service with a professional plumber right away.
If you know where the main water valve on your property is (probably in the meter box), you may want to turn off the water until you can arrange for a licensed plumber to make repairs. Your plumber will turn the valve back on after the repairs are complete.
You should never try to fix this type of plumbing leak yourself. In addition to making mistakes that could worsen your plumbing problems, you could contaminate your potable water. The potable water is the ready-to-drink water that comes through your faucets. Incorrectly fixing the leak could allow soil and other contaminants to pollute your water.
