
Water Leak Repair
A leak on the house side of the meter runs at full pressure until somebody closes a valve, so shut the main and call rather than letting it run through another night.
When this becomes an emergency
- A water bill that jumps with no change in how the household uses water.
- The low flow indicator on the meter moving with every tap closed.
- A soft, always wet strip of grass between the meter and the house.
- Paint blistering low on an interior wall.
What a pro does
The meter settles the first question. With everything in the house off, a moving dial means water is leaving the system, and where the plumber goes next depends on where the pressure drops when the house valve is closed. If the meter keeps turning with that valve shut, the leak is out in the service line between the meter box and the house. Sandy soil across eastern North Carolina hides that kind of leak well, since the water sinks straight down instead of surfacing, and a service line can run for months before anyone notices anything but the bill. Inside, the plumber works with pressure gauges and acoustic listening, and follows the likely runs rather than opening walls at random. Common finds are a hose bib that split over the winter and only leaks when the valve is open, a supply line to a toilet weeping behind the tank, and a pinhole in copper inside a wall. Once the leak is exposed the repair itself is usually quick. Finding it honestly is the part that isn't quick.
Frequently asked questions
Keep going
disclaimer: Plumbers of North Carolina is a free service to assist homeowners in connecting with local service providers. All contractors/providers are independent and Plumbers of North Carolina does not warrant or guarantee any work performed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to verify that the hired contractor furnishes the necessary license and insurance required for the work being performed. All persons depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on Plumbers of North Carolina.
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