Your meter is the best leak detector you have
Water service in Golden Hills comes from Fullerton's city water utility, and the meter usually sits in a box near the curb or sidewalk. Most meters have a small dial or triangle called a leak indicator that spins when even a little water is moving.
The meter box belongs to the city's side of the system. Lift the lid carefully, watch for insects, and do not operate the valve inside unless you know it is yours to use. If you have questions about the meter itself, check with the city.
The basic meter test
- Stop all water use.Turn off every faucet, shower, washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker and irrigation controller. Make sure no toilet is refilling.
- Check the leak indicator.Watch the small dial or triangle for a minute. If it moves, water is flowing somewhere.
- Read and wait.Note the full reading or take a photo, wait an hour or more without using water, then read again.
- Close the house shutoff.Close the main shutoff where the line enters the house. If the meter still moves, the leak is likely between the meter and the house, often in the yard line or irrigation.
- Open the house shutoff and test fixtures.If the meter stopped with the house valve closed, the leak is inside. Move on to toilets and other fixtures.
Narrowing down the source
| Suspect | Simple test | What a positive result means |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | Add food coloring to the tank and wait without flushing | Color in the bowl means the flapper or fill valve is leaking |
| Irrigation | Turn the system off at its valve and repeat the meter test | Meter stops: the irrigation side is leaking |
| Water heater | Look for water at the relief valve pipe outlet | Discharge points to pressure or temperature issues |
| Faucets and hose bibs | Look and listen at each fixture | Drips add up over a billing cycle |
| Supply lines under the slab | Feel for warm floor spots; listen for running water | Possible slab leak that needs professional location |
Example: a slow, invisible loss
Illustrative example. Not a real job or customer.
A household notices its bill has risen over two cycles. No fixture is visibly leaking and the yard is dry.
- With all water off, the leak indicator turns slowly.
- Closing the main shutoff at the house stops the indicator, so the loss is inside.
- A dye test shows color creeping into one toilet bowl.
- Replacing the flapper stops the movement on the next meter test.
A simple fix, found in an afternoon. If the dye test had been clean, the next step would have been a professional leak search for hidden supply lines.
Questions for a plumber doing leak detection
- What method will you use to locate the leak, and how accurate is it?
- Will you isolate hot and cold lines to see which one is leaking?
- If the leak is under the slab, what are the options besides breaking the floor?
- What will be opened, and who restores it afterward?
Common questions
How long should I wait between meter readings?
An hour gives a useful reading for most leaks. Very slow leaks show more clearly overnight, if the household can avoid using water.
The meter moves even with my house shutoff closed. Now what?
The leak is likely on your side between the meter and the house, or in irrigation. A plumber can locate it; check with the city about anything on the meter or the city's side.
Can a running toilet really raise my bill?
Yes. A toilet that leaks or refills on its own can waste a surprising amount of water over a billing period.
General information for Golden Hills, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.