How to Find Water Leaks - Water Meter Hasn't Stopped Spinning

How to Find Water Leaks - Water Meter Hasn't Stopped Spinning - Leak Detection
A customer, and friend of mine told me his water meter hasn't stopped spinning in a day. So we loaded up the leak detection equipment and the cameras to go see if we could find it! While we're out I'm going to tell you more about how I find leaks and some tips that can help you find leaks too!
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Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, LEED AP, The Expert Plumber and welcome to my channel. On this channel, I teach homeowners how to save money on their plumbing by doing DIY plumbing projects. I also teach plumbers and plumbing company owners how to be the best plumbers in their area and run successful plumbing businesses. My goal is to teach you everything you need to know about plumbing.
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[@RogerWakefield]

What do you think about this leak?

[@joshm5816]

In my area near Asheville NC, the digital meters are similar. I have on a few occasions, found meters installed with no check valve at the meter. This allows back flow at the meter. Two meters I've encountered, were faulty, showing water going to the customer, but it was actually going back into the city's system. The city replaced the meter, and the problem was solved. What brand of leak detection device are you using in this video?

[@derrickfeltner6634]

Toilet

[@roberttownsend9139]

Toilet bad flapper and the fill valve kicks on

[@fhuber7507]

We had a toilet that ran occasionally just a little because the little tube from the valve was run just a little too far down the overflow standpipe. Just one potential cause that can drive you insane trying to find it.

[@LegendAlpaca]

I wish my City would have notified me that my meter was going nuts rather then send me a 3000 bill

[@bradleybridges8130]

Roger: let's take a listen to see if we can hear anything. *blasts heavy rock music*

[@jazziez6467]

it was cring worthy

[@HarryT9]

“Keep looking for water .... everywhere ! “ .... Standing water everywhere ...

[@RogerWakefield]

It had rained two days before...

[@HarryT9]

Either rain or the sprinklers system ran a cycle or kids played in the hose right before showing up . Life always throws curve balls .....Just saying it makes looking for a water leak a lot more difficult .

[@franciscojuarez52]

There’s Always work in that part of Dallas, there’s weeks where we just work at different houses or commercial buildings there

[@gdv7910]

Turn off the house potable water and the irrigation to separate the two and put a gauge on the hose bib that you said was on the potable side... thus eliminating or confirming which side is leaking... plumber in Vegas

[@Puw1ng]

Cameraman needs to learn a bit more from tv cameraworks. Cuz this certainly has the feels of TV camera works. But it kinda feels off. Also audio volume equalisation also needs a bit of attention. Because i'm finding myself turning up the audio a bit and down a bit and i don't have auto gain and auto limit. This is just my opinion. I'm still learning stuff.

[@emilschw8924]

Same here with me, volume level is not consistent. Otherwise than that, great stuff!

[@jimjimmy3367]

First time watcher a few words of advice when you check the noise next time should include it in the video, also too much loud music, i want to hear you not some guitar.

[@thebearcat4735]

I dont care for the music inserts. I like to hear everything as is. That being said, your videos are awesome and keep me interested in the trades.

[@mariellazavala72]

Agreed! That way we know what to look out for ! It’s gives it a more realistic approach to things ! Other than that great informative video !

[@ScullyPop]

I learned a lot from this video. Water has the uncanny ability to find its way.

[@RogerWakefield]

Scully's House of Thrillers water always takes the path of least resistance. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@standardloginname]

@@RogerWakefield one could say it follows the richest roads

[@Freezinggreece2]

As the doctor once said "well sure it's airtight, but that doesn't mean it's water tight"

[@HurremDurrem]

Always look for traffic?

[@Embermist69]

@@HurremDurrem Yep, anytime you get out of a vehicle, or getting gear. You have the ones who don't care and could hit you. One of the causes of death for tow truck operators.

[@XxMeatShakexX]

4:26 that pipes got some rockin' music in it, glad he let us hear what he's hearing!

[@editorgrayson1073]

😂😂😂😂

[@rolfs2165]

@@editorgrayson1073 It's a bit loud, though, especially in comparison to Roger talking.

[@kaimana9583]

Your videos are so professionally filmed, it's amazing, the only thing I'm not a fan of is the very loud music that plays in certain parts, has me constantly needing to adjust the volume.

[@vernaholmes3279]

I agree 💯 about the music🌹

[@bimmjim]

Music is unnecessary. I have music.

[@mikelang5495]

An intermittent leak like that is almost always a leaky toilet flapper. A few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank will confirm if it bleeds through into the bowl. Next check the relief valve on the water heater for signs of leakage, it may be corroded or otherwise damaged and not working properly. Total cost for self-performing that service call is about a penny.

[@oldman6495]

Intermittent flow. My guess toilet flap. Tank keeps topping off.

[@glasshalffull8625]

The evil Phantom Flush! I have the Mansfield tower style system. When I replace the seal, it takes a few hours for the replacement seal to seat and get some phantom flushes til it seats. Not sure if there’s a trick to get it to seal immediately. If anyone has an idea, please comment! I really like the system as it allows you to do a short flush for just liquids, a normal flush for solids or even hold it open if you have a slight clog and just need a little more water.

[@KuroganeX3]

When we heard that music, it means there are musicians trapped inside that pipes save them fast! :D Nice videos i accidently found you and it was totaly worth it. Subbed!! Love it so far keep doing your great work. Best regards, from Europe.

[@jordanmpaul]

.33 gallons occasionally sounds like automatic ice machine or something. Make sure the freezer side of the fridge isn't full of ice 😂😂

[@miniwarrior7]

Could be a toilet !

[@gobeyondnow]

As others have said, paying that loud music every time you go to listen to your device is obnoxious. I wanted to hear what you were heaing not that racket so you lost me at 5:15.

[@xavier6130]

Could you please add the device's sound instead of the music when listening for leaks/etc. in the next video? Thank you.

[@marfnl2]

3:25 I Really need to get me one of those mic's. I never heard the water sound that good.

[@jeremyfink537]

I am some times glad that I work for the water department. Hey... you have a leak....see ya 👍🏽🤣

[@YoureASquidYoureAKid]

Same! Then they always say "It's the meter!!"

[@itptires]

@@YoureASquidYoureAKid I have three houses currently and the only water leak I've had was just on the city's side of the meter

[@jaymesc.moreland9265]

I ain't used that much water. 5 kids and 3 adults in the house, but there's no way they used 4000gallons. Must be the meter.

[@MrRastephen]

9:13, put subtitles on haha

[@gentlejake605]

Bruh lol XD

[@FRMC_SALMON]

Lol

[@Catastropheshe]

Didn't expect plumber POV but I'm hyped 🤣

[@YioMech]

I don’t know anything about plumbing, but I want to move to Texas just so I can hire him to be my plumber. Love this guy and I don’t know why aha

[@KevinBenecke]

So every time you listen to pipes you listen to hear music then. Do you hear music when it's leaking or not leaking. I'm just curious. So what was the final result of this? Have you found out?

[@SaiaArt]

If there is going to be a follow up vid, it should just be edited into one vid. I’m curious if it ended up being a faulty meter or a leak? I once had my meter read as though I filled an Olympic swimming pool two months in a row, with no leaks. The city tried to blame it on a faulty toilet flapper but that wasn’t correct. They ended up replacing the meter and it was fine thereafter. I’m not sure whats inside a water meter, but they do fail.

[@markhill4419]

DON'T GET IT Roger You said city reported it spinning , sure they got the right property

[@hunterstokes9306]

Arrives at customers house... Gets out to set up camera Gets back in car to show him arriving at customers house

[@RandomPerson-sb5mw]

i have had that happen a couple times and its always a toilet. The life of a landlord.

[@jimseviltwin1]

This video would be more enjoyable without that F’ing “music” …

[@brandonbld17]

Roger please turn down the music is loud at obnoxious distracts from the video thank you

[@gfysyoutube]

He knows because he's been up under the house before.

[@mainelyelectric]

What was the culprit? Where and what was actually leaking?

[@tedtalksstamps]

Couldn't watch any more after you blasted that music.

[@jacksplumbingvideos7147]

I don’t live in a house on slab I have a basement and my meter and shutoff is In the basement

[@RogerWakefield]

Jacks plumbing Videos that's wonderful. And great for you.

[@ham4fun]

any update on this video? i dont know why, but this is interesting to me since i am not a plumber

[@JL-fq3jc]

I’d dye test all the toilets because an intermittent leak is often caused by leaky flapper or flush valve ...great video by the way. Where can I get that equipment for listening to water pipes. Edit: - I just saw in the description for the equipment-

[@RogerWakefield]

We use some great listening equipment

[@markLikesSports]

Great video except for the music. Not sure why people feel they need music on their videos. Very annoying...

[@RogerWakefield]

Sorry about that

[@rogerjones6464]

Thanks ROGER great video except the music was loud but thumbs 👍information.

[@kencorlett9323]

I watch your vidios all the time as a plumber myself and small business owner im always learning new things from you always need to feed the brain😎😎

[@shannonmcleish31]

Sometime the water can come frm the toilet flapper ball

[@briangilley5093]

Leave the loud blasting music behind!!

[@jimrylander9143]

Maybe the Water Dept has two meters assigned to the wrong addresses In other words, maybe his neighbor has the leak.

[@russphilly]

exactly...the city and water companies fuck up alot.

[@reginarourk]

Why the annoying music?

[@RogerWakefield]

Sorry about that

[@derrickfeltner6634]

Knowing that the leak only showed every once in a while on the meter using 0.33gpm I would have deduced its a ballcock on a toilet kicking on when the leaky flapper or aqua piston let enough water out to cause the Ballcock to trip. Locating which toilet it is as easy as dye test or magic marker the water lever line in the tank of the toilet. All you done at the begining yes isolate everything narrow your search but as soon as I seen the time frame in which it was registering a leak on the meter and then the subsequent amount of water being used toilets would have been the next thing I would have looked at. Not knocking your style but I would have checked those before I called it.

[@nsaylorable]

he said the leak is not on the potable side, its on the irrigation side...

[@derrickfeltner6634]

@@nsaylorable no he shut the irrigation off and still had the leak. Irrigation is constantly live it would not fluctuate from leak to no leak

[@nsaylorable]

@@derrickfeltner6634 its not real clear but doesnt he say the .33 flow stops when the irrigation is valved off @ 11:46?

[@derrickfeltner6634]

@@nsaylorable I thought he said said it wasn't I watch again and get back with you later

[@derrickfeltner6634]

@@nsaylorable and for the record irrigation is potable it all comes from the same source, the city main.

[@ronnyc8251]

So you didnt find anything! A handyman would have found it..

[@matthewconrady7392]

Have you ever run into a faulty meter? The city just changed out to a new meter with a sensor a week ago and low and behold they've detector water usage everyday since the new meter install. I've looked everywhere, shutoff every supply valve, and no change. The indicator dial is spinning extremely slowly and sometimes spins backwards. I also noticed that the meter is not tight and can be moved by hand about 1/8" and also is very vibration sensitive. Not sure if that's normal. The city claims they've never seen a failed meter in 5000 installs. Being an engineer, I know failure rates aren't zero on anything.

[@briantrap6005]

I think you my good sir need a TV show i like the music with the job it makes me feel like a watching a TV show so... Maybe look into that sort of thing, just saying I mean you have a likable personality, great knowledge of you field of work and a fan base already kind of a great idea if I say so myself. I mean look at how Billy the exterminator blew up, could be you next! =)

[@shannonmcleish31]

Do u when inside and check the toilet tank

[@michaelcastillo3231]

Awesome detective work. I actually am at a point where I like challenges. Makes u a better plumber.

[@zacharymitchell2434]

I know that house. We installed a new door on it about a year ago

[@johnanderson1361]

Isn't that standard when you get caught breaking into someones home?

[@mikelabor8155]

What? If I had been there. . . 1. Why is the meter submerged? The box makes up above grade, so surface water ought run around it. 2. Did we ever actually PROVE that we are on the correct meter? That is, where is the test shutting down the meter stop and then checking that the domestic side is dead? 3. Shutting down the feed to the meter, and then (?) checking for flow would only tell you that the curb stop is bad, worthless information. 4. The dual check being shut down (supposing that it does feed only irrigation) might possibly reveal a leak on the potable side, but as is, there is no way to invert the test, and prove integrity on irrigation only. There is a missing main SOV. Look indoors near the tank or softener? 5. This vid is an excellent example of why I hate digital meters! The sample (to be meaningful) should have been first to isolate the entire system at meter. Wait 15 minutes, and recharge, provided owner knows to open NO valve or faucet. THEN check flow to see if it is still dancing between 0 and .33 (gpm?). The static pressure ought drop with clock time, if a leak is present, and so, a surge upon opening up the ball valve will tell the story.

[@brandonwilliams9693]

That meter appears to be a Neptune meter. Depending on the model that brand has the ability to produce a report commonly known as a Data Log. This report will tell you when a leak began and how much water moved by Daily and/or Hourly. My town uses mainly Neptune and Sensus brand water meters. Although the meter cannot tell you *where* a leak is the meter can give you the exact moment the leak began. Often times, homeowners will have water using utilities replaced and the Data Log will show that it. I live in Utah so your area may not use either brands. Also! Please talk with your City to know if you and/or your plumber is allowed to turn the meter off/on otherwise you could receive a Meter Tamper Violation Charge

[@anthonyt.4812]

Spot on video; Love the editing!

[@Iamaveryseriouspersonhonk]

Cheers from dallas tx

[@ImnotChuck.]

Hate the music!!!!

[@Vinlyguyx420x]

THE QUALITY OF THESE VIDEOS IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE. You deserve my tuition fees for trade school more than the school I attended!

[@dianabakervevang2972]

The music is awful

[@kevinoverholtzer3126]

watched up to 12 min i am going to guess this is a toilet flapper that is leaking just a little bit would think that when you see the meter is not spinning that would be the end of it.

[@alexjackson9531]

When you put the headphones on to listen, does the water really sound like that music? Lol jk great video. As always

[@bloodshotblock]

Water can be more destructive then fire in a lot of situations.

[@Stettafire]

Oh yeah, water is terrible for destroying foundations, disrupting banks, making slopes unstable and not to mention joists, wooden frames etc, etc

[@loucannon5445]

I bet one of the 6 toilets in that place is running.

[@DDunc1020]

Lol

[@manueloliveira4050]

What is the name or brand of the listening device you are using?

[@TheNimshew]

Fluidmaster BCV

[@emilschw8924]

The IT field also do have its moments. Sometime you get to the root cause of a problem quickly and is able to resolve it. Other times it take a lot of time, patience and effort just to isolate and find the cause of the problem. Luck also play a part in this.

[@davefrimml1518]

Been a plumber for 20 years and I had a call that I've never experienced! Water meter dial was spinning. Looked at all fixtures. No visible leaks. Shut off the ball valve on building side of meter, and turned it on right away. The dial turned as if to catch up and then sowed back down but didn't stop. Shut the ball valve off again, this time for about 5 seconds before turning it back on. This time it stopped! Called the H2O dept and had them come and change meter with a new one. It indicated nothing! How can that be? It should've kept spinning if there was a leak. So how can the dial spin if no H2O is being used? Never seen this one before! Anybody knows something please lmk!

[@epicdrone7477]

Water company came out twice in two weeks. Then I got a notice of high usage by over 10,000 gallons. What is it that they did to cause that?

[@drucifer_too]

Why is there standing water in the meter box?

[@standalee]

as a homeowner I would shut off toilets and maybe even the water heater, that periodic reading of water flowing is weird but I don't know plumbing....

[@judyoung8347]

If 100% sure no water leaks. All taps closed. The water keeps running. What do you advise ? Thank you.

[@solano8725]

I have to say it to all the comments about "wanting to hear what he is hearing but the music came on",...if he is wearing headphones with the microphone under water do you actually think YOU could hear it standing next to him as the video cam mike is? smh

[@mrspart5548]

i woulda vaccumed the water out of the meter box and checked to see if the union was dripping. problem wasnt found. would have isolated the shut off at house and checked meter over 15 mins to see if possibly a toilet flapper letting water by and a fill valve running for a few seconds (you most likely here as its a small amount of water for a few seconds every once in a while)

[@elnicadrums]

Nice Jeep 👍👍... 👍👍

[@ShadeTheBade]

You've gotten me genuinely interested in plumbing, which is not something I ever thought I would have an interest in

[@OneLeggedTarantula]

Weird. doesn't it bother you to find the meter box full of water???? it shouldn't be. I would start with that!

[@CCross777]

Do y'all service McKinney, TX? I like that you're in Highland Park in this video. :)

[@denny8548]

from far away I thought hulk hogan was retired from wrestling now doing plumbing....

[@timavery7984]

Maybe he could hear the leak a little better if crappy rock music wasn’t blasting every few seconds.

[@FoxBox923]

I enjoyed this video roger! I always like seeing the troubleshooting process. Definitely would like to see more of these kinds of videos!

[@RogerWakefield]

More to come!

[@trevormckee8701]

This could have been a 2 minute video without loud butt-rock music interludes and other fluff.

[@hamishkumar9384]

Why not do a pressure test, you just wasted a load of time and charge the customer for a second visit ????

[@SonicBoomC98]

I have no water. I looked at my meter, and what I see is what looks like broken PVC right by the meter

[@jessespot7660]

Roger I am from Greece and want to be a player I'm 18 years old I am finish the High school and now I go to college ( I mean it is not a College but I don't know How to tell) in September for learning a planning

[@jessespot7660]

and thanks you

[@MartynLucas]

Hi Roger. Congratulations on your growth.

[@RogerWakefield]

Thank you sir. You are doing well too!

[@Cologneking408]

What leak detection equipment were you using?

[@cataderian]

Thin flexible black irrigation lines. How do you fix a leak?

[@jeffreylewis6733]

Thats a neptune digital meter and it will have a hose bib icon one the left side of the meter screen when it registered a constant water passing through it, and will let the city know thru there system.

[@bluebeastgamer3005]

Excellent detective video!!!!!👍👍👍 By the way, what is the name or brand of your water leaks detection listening device????? Thank you, Barry

[@giorgospsixramis3400]

I don't know why I like watching your videos, i pretty sure I'll never use this information, probably because I'll forget it but still cool videos,interesting and informative

[@peggyr9623]

After checking those things, why didn't you check the toilets? We had the same issue, only our meter was running all of the time. We called a plumber who came out and he ran around the house like a crazy person. Went back to the basement to check the meter and it was still running. Charged me $250.00, told me he had no idea and left. The next day, my husband and I turned off all of the water valve shutoffs in the entire house. Nothing registered at the meter. One by one we opened each valve and discovered that one of the toilet tanks was leaking. We changed the flapper, but that wasn't enough. Called another plumber to come and replace all of the parts in the tank. Charged me $165.00 and no more problems. I hope you didn't charge the customer for two home visits.

[@RogerWakefield]

Peggy, the customer was ill and didn't want anyone in the house if they didn't need to be. We isolated the irrigation line and that resolved the problem. No second trip charge or fee.

[@peggyr9623]

@@RogerWakefield Thank you!

[@jessicacordova5024]

Lol I had that happen a few months ago and the landlord hired a plumber that said it was just a cartridge leak in the main shower even though you could hear water running throughout the house. He still just replaced the cartridge after I told them it’s a leak in the crawl space because you can hear water running and there’s no way a bad cartridge would cause a meter to run that much. Needless to say he was back a week later crawling in a muddy crawl space replacing a section and sweating pipe.

[@jfinnall]

My first thought when you described the issue, did anybody verify the email message? The results here do not match the complaint either. A 0.33 gpm occasional flow is not "Stopped Spinning". The old meters had a triangular trickle indicator. So then the newer meters do not? But might not be desired since the meter can read to 1/100th accuracy. As dirty as the meter actually was they do not physically read the meter every month. So that would indicate an electronic reading system. They usually are just short range. So how is the main office going to know if the meter was running continuously? Did they send out a truck and driver to sit there for 24 hours to monitor the meter? Then decided to just send an email message? With online systems today, they might actually have an email address on record for the property. But it would not be required for service, except for an online website account. Normally a person would not know there is a problem until they receive the water bill. So many things wrong with this post. This is the first time I have viewed anything from this creator. It just showed up in my suggested feed for some reason. Your investigative areas here are OK, I noticed nothing wrong there. Just the overall scenario of the issue. Like something was just fabricated for the video.

[@johnhaller5851]

My online account with my city a couple of cities north of Roger's office has readings about every 4 hours. While it's not continuous, it would be unusual to have water flow every 4 hours. I also have electronic billing, so they know my email address. And no, they don't drive a truck through the entire city every 4 hours. So, it's not as contrived as you might think

[@XrebornaceX]

Hey I have been a plumber for roughly 7 years. No where as experienced as you. But 1 thing I have always done is checked toilets to see if there's a bad flapper that makes them turn off and on randomly.

[@dracomacolovish6890]

9:15 subtitles says I've listened to the prostitutes i found outside 😂

[@peracality7648]

3:35 that water gas some jam

[@jayclarke6388]

Basically a long video about not finding the problem

[@alfriedar5970]

I like the music and that it fades when he talks ….

[@TheNimshew]

Or, flapper stuck

[@LostLarz]

Hey that’s me walking in the background at the start

[@pamelamunson6819]

Please turn off the annoying music.

[@GrymsArchive]

Whoever did your editing needs replacing. The music is *WAY TO FUCKING LOUD*

[@editorgrayson1073]

I sorry

[@mbaabugri537]

Thank sir please video for water pipe leaks in size the wall