Conservation
Checking for leaks
The meter is a great tool for checking your home for leaks. Become familiar with where your meter is located and how it works then be able to follow these steps to see whether you have a leak.
Step 1. Stop using water
Turn off all water inside and outside the house, including showers, sinks, the washing machine, and any other appliance that uses water.
Step 2. Carefully take the lid off the water meter box
Step 3. Watch the meter
If your meter has a triangular blue or red “leak indicator” dial and it is spinning, you may have a leak.
If there is no leak indicator and the actual meter sweep hand is moving, water is running somewhere in your system and you may have a leak.
If the hand is not moving, note the position of the hand and wait an hour, making sure not to use any water in the house or yard. Check the meter again. If it has moved, you may have a slow leak.
Step 4. Shut off your house’s main water valve
If you do have a leak, you will need to determine whether it’s an indoor leak or an outdoor leak.
Locate the main water shut-off valve in your house. It is usually located near the hot water heater, which may be in your basement or garage.
Turn off the valve.
Step 5. Test the valve
Turn on a faucet inside the house to test your shut-off valve.
If water still flows from the faucet after several seconds, the shut-off valve is not working. There is no way to tell whether the leak is indoors or outdoors.
If no water flows from the faucet, the shut-off valve is working. Return to the meter.
Step 6. Check whether the meter’s leak indicator or dial hand is moving
If the leak indicator or dial hand is still moving, water is flowing between the meter and the shut-off valve in the house. That means you may have a leak between the shut-off valve and your meter, possibly an underground leak.
If the hand is not moving, you may have a leak somewhere within your home’s plumbing system. Possible sources are leaking toilets, faucets, appliances or even garden hoses.
Check for toilet leaks
Step 1: Find the leak
Sometimes it's easy to tell that your toilet is leaking: you hear the sound of running water or a faint hissing or trickling. But many times, water flows through the tank silently, which is why toilet leaks are often overlooked
To check for toilet leaks:
Lift the toilet tank lid.
Drop one dye tablet or several drops of food coloring into the tank (do not flush).
Wait at least 10 minutes and check the bowl of the toilet. If there is dye in the bowl, the toilet has a leak.
Step 2: Determine your toilet type
There are two common types of toilets: float-ball-style and vertical-float-style. Compare the diagrams below to your toilet to determine the style you have in your home.
Toilet type 1: float ball-style
This type of toilet uses a ball filled with air to regulate how much water fills the tank. This type of toilet has been commonly used for decades. The parts of this style of toilet are:
Water inlet shut-off valve
Flapper valve (flapper)
Valve seat
Chain
Overflow tube
Float arm
Float ball
Fill valve
Handle
Float adjustment screw
These numbers correspond with the numbers in the diagram to the right and the numbers in the text in the sections below.
Toilet type 2: vertical float-style
This type of toilet uses a vertical float on a pipe to regulate how much water fills the tank. This type of toilet is a newer type of design. The parts of this style of toilet are:
2. Flapper valve (flapper)
5. Overflow tube
8. Fill valve
11. Vertical float
12. Water level adjustment spring clip
These numbers correspond with the numbers in the diagram to the right and the numbers in the text in the sections below.
Step 3: Gather tools
An adjustable crescent wrench
Replacement flapper valve (flapper)
Hand towel
Step 4: Check the chain and handle
If you have to jiggle the handle to keep the toilet from running, it may have a misaligned flapper valve (2), a loose handle (9), or a chain that's the wrong length (4).
To fix: Adjust the chain (4). Make sure the chain is neither too long nor too short. Tighten the nut that holds the toilet handle to the tank. If that doesn't work, you may need to replace the handle.
Step 5: Check the flapper
The flapper valve (2) may not be sitting properly on the valve seat (3), or it may need to be replaced. Over time, the flapper's rubber material deteriorates. If you gently rub the flapper and get streaks on your fingers, you should replace it right away.
To fix: Begin by turning the water inlet shutoff valve clockwise to turn the water off (1). Flush the toilet to drain the tank. Check the valve seat (3) for corrosion and clean it if necessary. Check the flapper valve (2) to make sure it lines up properly with the valve seat. If needed, you can purchase a replacement flapper at a hardware store. Some large grocery stores carry them as well. Take your old flapper with you to make sure you get an identical one. After installing the new flapper valve, open the water inlet shutoff valve (1) and flush to test.
Step 6: Check the overflow tube
If the water level in the tank is too high, it may continuously spill into the overflow tube (5), creating a large leak. If the water level is too low, you may not get an efficient flush. The correct water level is about 1/2–1″ below the top of the overflow tube.
To fix: To adjust the water level, you must adjust the height at which the float shuts off the fill valve. Manufacturers have several variations on fill valve mechanisms, but they all include a method for adjusting the water level. Close inspection should make clear how to adjust your particular fill valve.
Toilet type 1: In float-ball-style toilets, a float hangs at the end of a metal or plastic float arm (7). Where that arm connects to the fill valve (8) there is usually a screw (10). Adjusting that screw will change the level at which the water valve shuts off. If there is no screw or it is already at its maximum, you may be able to carefully bend the metal arm (6) into place.
Toilet Type 2: In vertical-float-style toilets, the float (11) is often a collar around the fill valve (8) that rides up and down vertically. The float typically has a spring clip (12) connecting it to a metal rod that connects to the fill valve shutoff. Squeeze the spring clip to slide the float up or down the metal rod.
Other problems
While some toilet repairs are easy, others are more complicated. Know your limitations—call a plumber if you have any concerns about how to make a repair. The HOA is not responsible for any damage to your home or toilet due to faulty repairs.
Underground leaks
Leaks in underground pipes can be caused by many different factors, including corrosion, root intrusion, loss of glue adhesion, or structural collapse. Freezing, shifting soil and even rodents can also cause underground piping leaks. All piping materials, including copper, steel, iron, PVC, and CPVC have a finite lifespan and will eventually leak.
Signs you might have an underground leak include:
Unexplained increase in water use
A notable drop in water pressure or flow volume
A sudden problem with rust, dirt, or air in the water supply
Unusually wet spots in landscaped areas or water pooling on the ground surface
An area that is green, moldy, soft, or mossy surrounded by drier conditions
An irrigation system that is failing to keep areas green
Cracked/lifted concrete or paved areas or the appearance of sinkholes
Uneven floor grade or leaning structure
If any of these conditions exist at your facility or home, you may have a leak.
If you suspect you have a leak, you may want to hire a professional leak detection company to pinpoint its exact location and a contractor to perform the repairs. Leaks that are repaired in a timely manner make you eligible for an adjustment to your water and sewer bill.
Making repairs
The property owner is responsible for water pipes from the meter to the house.
Request a bill adjustment: Fix a leak? Let us know. You may be able to have your water usage bill lowered.
Contact:
Tim Hillman - Tim.Hillman3@yahoo.com
Karen Johnson – svslbhoa@gmail.com
Emergency – 360-678-5331
Request a bill adjustment due to a leak - Do I qualify?
Members may qualify for water usage bill adjustments when property-side leaks impact water bills.
Each account is eligible to receive one adjustment during a 12-month period for a leak (such as a toilet leak.) Customers may request adjustments after leaks have been repaired, provided their account is current.
Members must make reasonable efforts to locate the leak in an expeditious manner and initiate repairs as soon as possible. Leaks represent a threat to our water system.
Gather information
Information needed for a leak adjustment request:
Customer name
Account number
Service address
City, state, ZIP
Home phone
Work phone
Date leak was discovered
Date leak was repaired
Description of the leak (faucet, toilet, underground, etc.)
Explanation of how the leak was discovered and repaired
