Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce03
If you suspect a leak, one way to find out is to turn off your water and see if the meter shows that you are still using water.
Turn off water everyplace inside the house that may be actively running. For example, a toilet is not "actively running" unless it's being flushed.
Your external (streetside) water shutoff location normally is a box in the ground (blue cover??) and the handle should be "on", meaning parallel to the pipe. Turn handle to "off", such such that it's perpendicular to the pipe. The meter show show zero usage and this indicates that you have no leakage - in the house and sprinkler system.
Be sure to bring a stick/cane/etc. with you and lift the cover and check for snakes, bugs, etc. Use a rag to wipe off the face of the meter.
If the meter shows usage above zero, you have a leak somewhere - either the sprinkler system, or the rest of your house system.
Suggestions: Channel lock pliers or a big pair of pliers to turn the handle; Gloves because it could get dirty; a soft kneeling pad, cane for getting up... And a face mask! 
Good luck.
Bruce |
Many houses have a separate water system and meter for irrigation. Turning off the sprinkler system and checking the meter will only detect a leak that is located between the meter and the electronic zone valves that operate the sprinkler system. However, most sprinkler leaks are located downstream from the electronic valves. The best way to check for leaks is to operate each zone and look for sprinkler heads that have a low flow rate. Also, monitor your water usage every month for excessive usage. I suspect that many sprinkler pipes have small leaks that don't cause a problem. Also, unless your usage is very high, the irrigation water is pretty cheap.