Indoor Self-Audit

Large leaks or a combination of small leaks can often be detected with the home's water meter. Cheyenne's water meters have leak indicators which are either a red propeller or triangle located on the meter's face (see diagram below). To detect a leak, turn off all water sources in the home and check the water meter. If the red triangle or propeller is spinning, this indicates a water leak. The meter test only identifies larger leaks and further investigation is needed to detect and locate all leaks.

The bathroom uses more than 50% of your indoor water supply. Check your bathroom for leaks in just 30 minutes using the following methods:

Toilets: Toilets are a frequent cause of higher than expected water bills in Cheyenne. Toilet leaks can be silent too. Use this simple toilet dye test to see if your toilet is leaking. Remember to flush the colored water so that it doesn't stain the toilet.

• Sprinkle 10-15 drops of food coloring in the toilet tank water. DO NOT FLUSH.
• Wait 15 minutes.
• If colored water appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak.
• Generally the leak is in or around the plunger ball or flapper valve at the bottom of the tank.

Supporting Resources

• Toilet Flapper Replacement (Video)

Sinks: Even small leaks can waste a significant amount of water over time. 10 water drops per minute will waste around 300 gallons of water over the course of a year!

• If your faucet is a house original, the faucet aerator might need to be changed out.
• Leaky faucets can often be repaired by replacing a washer or gasket.

Supporting Resources

• Replace Your Faucet Aerator (Video)
• How to Repair a Leaking Faucet (Video)

Bathtubs and Showers:

• Make sure the faucet in the tub is working correctly.
• When you turn on the shower, the water flow from the tub faucet should stop.
• If your shower head is a house original, it might need to be changed out with a more efficient shower head.

Supporting Resources

• How to Replace Your Three Handle Shower Valve (Video)
• How to Replace Your Shower Head (Video)

Check all water sources in the kitchen for leaks:

• Faucets
• Dishwasher
• Garbage Disposal
• Refrigerator (Water and Ice Dispensers)

Supporting Resources

• Learn how to repair a kitchen faucet (Video)

Check all water sources in the laundry area:

• Supply lines to the washing machine
• Use a piece of cardboard and place it under the washing machine while you are running a load of laundry. Check the cardboard for wet spots to see if you have any leaks.
• For sinks in the laundry room, follow the instructions for bathrooms.