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NFT: How to find a possible water leak

BigBlueDownTheShore : 3/18/2019 3:10 pm
My landlord has been freaking out since my water bill has almost doubled the past few months.

I discovered that the toilet was running because the handle was getting stuck down, and figured that was the issue. Since then, my wife and I have been pulling it up after we use it.

I also suspect that since we have more laundry to do since we wear more layers during the winter, that could be part of the problem.

However, it doesn't make a bunch of sense to me because I am certain I use more water in the summer since I have a garden I water almost daily.

I also have an ancient washing machine. We have no dishwasher.

I put some die in the toilet, but it didn't leak into the bowl from the top.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Just a few questions...  
OBJRoyal : 3/18/2019 3:19 pm : link
Sounds like your on a town water supply?? So any leak would have to be after the meter. Have all the pipes been checked??

Hot water heater???

Just trying to bounce some things around...
It sounds like it’s your landlords  
mattyblue : 3/18/2019 3:19 pm : link
problem to figure it out.
RE: It sounds like it’s your landlords  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 3/18/2019 3:20 pm : link
In comment 14345630 mattyblue said:
Quote:
problem to figure it out.


I know! She sucks. There I said it.
RE: Just a few questions...  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 3/18/2019 3:22 pm : link
In comment 14345629 OBJRoyal said:
Quote:
Sounds like your on a town water supply?? So any leak would have to be after the meter. Have all the pipes been checked??

Hot water heater???

Just trying to bounce some things around...


I haven't seen any water leaks that are noticeable. The water heater downstairs is pretty dry as well. The laundry is very close to it.

I haven't found any water to be concerned about.

The weird thing, is that I have been living here for like 3 years, and have never had an issue.
It was likely the toilet  
Jim in Fairfax : 3/18/2019 3:24 pm : link
A toilet left running all day could use hundreds of gallons. Get the landlord to replace the flush components.
Most water meters today  
lono801 : 3/18/2019 3:27 pm : link
Have leak indicators. A small dial that will turn ever so slightly if there is a leak.

You know where your meter is?
RE: Most water meters today  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 3/18/2019 3:28 pm : link
In comment 14345661 lono801 said:
Quote:
Have leak indicators. A small dial that will turn ever so slightly if there is a leak.

You know where your meter is?


Yeah I had my wife take a picture before I left this morning. She's going to take one when she returns.
Smart  
lono801 : 3/18/2019 3:31 pm : link
Jim is probably spot on. You would be shocked how much water a running toilet can waste...
RE: Smart  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 3/18/2019 3:36 pm : link
In comment 14345679 lono801 said:
Quote:
Jim is probably spot on. You would be shocked how much water a running toilet can waste...


Agreed. We have been pushing the thing down ever since we discovered it. It took some getting used to, but now it's second nature.

I'm going to get a plumber to come to fix the thing. Hopefully, that will fix the issue.
flapper  
jestersdead : 3/18/2019 3:42 pm : link
and get a new flapper for the toilet. an easy fix from home depot
RE: flapper  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 3/18/2019 3:44 pm : link
In comment 14345708 jestersdead said:
Quote:
and get a new flapper for the toilet. an easy fix from home depot


That's what I thought as well, but I put the dye in and didn't see any transfer from the top to the bottom in about a 1/2 hour of time.
RE: RE: flapper  
Jim in Fairfax : 3/18/2019 4:32 pm : link
In comment 14345711 BigBlueDownTheShore said:
Quote:
In comment 14345708 jestersdead said:


Quote:


and get a new flapper for the toilet. an easy fix from home depot



That's what I thought as well, but I put the dye in and didn't see any transfer from the top to the bottom in about a 1/2 hour of time.

The flapper may be fine when it’s fully down, but something could be hanging it up at times. You mentioned the handle sometimes being stuck down after flushing, and that’s a big symptom of that. A few things could cause that to happen, including a flapper chain that kinks, a chain that’s too long getting hung up on something in the tank, or the flapper’s frame getting stuck on the drain tube.
Any exterior faucets  
PEEJ : 3/18/2019 4:44 pm : link
?
Don't pay for a plumber to replace the guts on the toilet.  
Diver_Down : 3/18/2019 5:14 pm : link
You can do it in a half hour. Home Depot sells kits that include everything. Don't piece it out. Replace it all.
It's the toilet for sure  
MBavaro : 3/18/2019 5:29 pm : link
as others have said. One of our toilets ran an unnoticeable amount. Couldn't hear it or see it. Almost bled our well dry over the course of a year.
Its  
mdthedream : 3/18/2019 5:56 pm : link
the Toilet. My tennant toilet was running on and off and it doubled my bill. Replace toilet bill went was fixed.
Yeah we lost 8 gallons  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 3/18/2019 6:03 pm : link
During the work day.
If your toilet shutoff valve works  
Ike#88 : 3/18/2019 11:08 pm : link
it is very much a dyi project to replace the toilet flush valve and flapper. Turn off the toilet shutoff valve and flush the toilet, the water should drain down and not refill the tank. I would get your landlady's permission to do the parts replacement. If not sure how to do so check a you tube video search. If the landlady says no she should pay a plumber. Having to check the toilet all the time is not worth it.
Go in the Basement  
mvftw : 3/20/2019 9:46 am : link
and make sure there is no noise. Listen for water running from the main drain and anywhere else...if you don't hear water moving you have should have no leak...
I'm with  
Joeguido : 3/20/2019 9:53 am : link
most that it's the toilet. It could be a simple fix just extending the chain so that the flapper completely close or tightening the handle. But a toilet constantly running would create a lot of water waste.
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