To identify and address outdoor water leaks: Check your water meter for any signs of leaks. Ensure no water is running and observe the leak indicator or meter reading. Shut off your home's main valve and repeat the meter check to confirm if the leak is outdoors. If the meter indicates a leak on your property, it's likely in the main service line between the meter and your home. Causes may include shifting soil or aging pipes like galvanized cast iron. Contact a licensed Roto-Rooter plumber equipped with leak detection tools to locate and repair the leak efficiently, minimizing yard damage.

Here's how to test for a leak on your water system. Shut off all the fixtures in your home and put red food coloring in all of your toilet tanks. Check the reading on the water meter. Wait at least one hour and recheck the toilets and the reading. If the water in any toilet bowl is red, then the toilet is leaking. If the water has not left the toilet tanks and entered the bowls, but the reading on the water meter has moved even slightly you have an underground leak. A plumber or leak detection company can use a sounding device to locate leaks in underground water pipes.

It's wise to call a professional plumber to fix leaky pipes to avoid potential complications and ensure a thorough and lasting solution. Regular inspections by certified plumbers are recommended, especially for older plumbing systems prone to issues. Hidden leaks behind walls can lead to extensive damage if left undetected. Routine checks around bathtubs, showers, water heaters, sinks, and toilets can help identify visible leaks, such as dripping faucets or running toilets. However, many leaks may not be apparent and require specialized equipment for detection. Roto-Rooter experts utilize state-of-the-art equipment to pinpoint and diagnose leaks accurately, minimizing damage and waste.

It sounds like you will need to get either the city out or call a professional plumber, because you may have a leak at your meter. Since your water bill has gone up, I can only assume it's leaking on the house side of the meter.

Know the location of water shutoff valves at home in case of a flood. Shut off main water and appliance valves promptly to prevent damage. When away, turn off appliance valves and maintain a minimum thermostat setting of 55°F. Inspect hoses regularly and schedule yearly water heater checkups. Consider installing flood alarms. Call Roto-Rooter for plumbing emergencies.

After a flood or water damage incident, immediate cleanup is crucial to prevent further damage and health issues. Take these steps: Turn off water and power to affected areas. Unplug electronics and remove furniture. Document damage and losses. Call a professional water cleanup service like City Plumbing pro. Contact your insurance company. City Plumbing pro certified technicians will extract water, remove damaged items, clean, disinfect, and dry the affected areas thoroughly.

The first thing to check on the stop valve is the packing nut. Just under the handle is a small nut that tightens the packing against the stem. When turning on the handle often times, the packing will simply begin leaking. A small turn with a wrench will usually stop the leaking if it is coming from the stem attached to the handle which passes through the body of the faucet. The only thing that keeps the water inside the faucet is the packing, which is usually a graphite or compressive material. If this doesn't work, then call a technician.