How to Check for a Hidden Water Leak in Your Glenshire Home, Truckee

Why Small Leaks Add Up

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program says the average household’s leaks can account for more than 9,300 gallons of water wasted every year, and that nine percent of homes have leaks that waste 50 gallons or more per day (EPA WaterSense). It also says fixing easily corrected household leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.

The bigger cost in a mountain home is usually not the water itself. It is the subfloor, insulation and drywall that soak it up while no one is looking.

Test 1: The Two-Hour Water Meter Test

EPA recommends checking your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the reading changes at all, you likely have a leak (EPA WaterSense).

• Turn off every faucet, appliance and irrigation zone, and make sure no one uses water.
• Write down the meter reading or take a photo of it.
• Wait two hours without using any water.
• Read the meter again. Any change points to a leak somewhere on your side of the meter.

Test 2: The Toilet Dye Test

Toilets are a common silent leak. EPA’s test: put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak; flush right after so the tank doesn’t stain (EPA WaterSense).

Use Your TDPUD Usage Graphs

If your home is a Truckee Donner Public Utility District water customer, TDPUD says it can provide near real-time water usage data through its SmartHub account portal. Its usage graphs let you compare this year with last year and look for unusual patterns, such as potential leaks (TDPUD). A steady rise in use while the house is empty is a red flag.

Where Leaks Hide in Glenshire Homes

• Supply lines in the crawl space, especially near exterior walls.
• Under kitchen and bathroom sinks, at shutoff valves and supply hoses.
• Behind the washing machine and at the water heater connections.
• Around the base of toilets and tubs.
• Hose bibs and outdoor lines that were not drained for winter.

When to Call a Plumber

If the meter moves and you cannot find the source, it is time for professional help. Our water leak detection service works to find the leak before opening walls, so you are not paying to tear out drywall in the wrong place. We serve all of Glenshire and the rest of Truckee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if I have a hidden water leak?

EPA suggests reading your water meter, using no water for two hours, then reading it again. If the meter changed, you likely have a leak.

How do I check my toilet for a leak?

Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. Color in the bowl means the toilet is leaking.

Can TDPUD customers see their water usage online?

Yes. TDPUD says customers can view near real-time water usage and compare usage over time through the SmartHub portal.