A challenge for reducing leaks is finding them in the first place. Repairing leaks can also help to prevent issues like reduced water pressure or water supply disruptions. See how you can check for a leak on your property.

Check for an internal plumbing issue in four simple steps. If these checks show that you might have an internal plumbing issue, you should contact your local plumber as soon as possible.

Checking for leaks

Here are some simple checks that you can carry out to determine if there are any internal plumbing issues causing leaks:

Check the toilet

Is there a constant sound of water running from any of the toilet cisterns in your home? Check for a stream of water running inside the toilet bowl or place a piece of toilet paper on the inside back of the toilet bowl and see if it absorbs water.

Check the water storage tank

Can you hear the water storage tank (usually located in the attic) refilling when water-consuming appliances are not in use or a toilet has not been recently flushed? It’s useful to carry out this check at night when it’s quiet. You can also check for signs of water coming from overflow pipes leading from the water storage tank, usually seen on the external wall on the side of your home.

Check all taps

Check all your household and external garden taps for drips. A dripping tap can waste over 1,500 litres of water per year (which is enough water to fill 20 bathtubs) and can be repaired by simply replacing the washer.

Check water-consuming appliances

Is there a constant sound of water running from any of the toilet cisterns in your home? Check for a stream of water running inside the toilet bowl or place a piece of toilet paper on the inside back of the toilet bowl and see if it absorbs water.

Use a water meter to check for leaks

To do this test you’ll need to be able to safely access your inside stop valve and water meter. Your water will need to be off for about an hour. Follow the steps below to check for a leak using your water meter.

  • 1
  • Switch off all appliances that consume water and turn off your inside stop valve.
  • 2
  • Take note of your meter reading. Don’t worry if you can’t see the last digit on the red dials.
  • 3
  • Wait for one hour, then take a second meter reading.
  • 4
  • If there’s a difference between the two readings, get in contact with us. It might mean you have a leak on your external supply pipe.