How to use your water meter to check for leaks

You should turn off your internal stop tap and repeat the following steps. If you're having trouble finding your stop tap, watch the following videos.

Repeat the following steps with your water turned off

Step 1: Turn off all of your water using appliances

Step 2: Wait 30 minutes to allow any tanks or cisterns to fill up and take a meter reading and keep a note of it

Step 3: Wait another 2 hours and take another meter reading to see if the reading has gone up

Single supply pipe example

As your two meter readings were different it's likely you have a leak on your underground supply pipe. This is the water pipe leading from your property boundary to your internal pipework. 

If you live in a rented property it is your landlord’s responsibility to find and repair the leak. Please let them know you have a leak.

If you’re a business customer, speak to your water retailer for advice or click here to find out how you can apply for an allowance.

If you’re a household customer, have a water meter and you repair the leak within 6 weeks, you may be entitled to claim for the cost of the water lost during the time you had the leak. You can read more and check if you are eligible here.

• Speak to your insurer - Check your home insurance policy to see if you’re covered for leaks on your water supply pipe
• Check if you have a separate policy - Have you taken out a separate insurance policy which covers you for leak repairs on your water supply pipe?
  
  It’s always worth checking if you have one of these policies and whether it covers the cost of replacing any blocked paving or pressed concrete that needs removing to repair the leak.
• We can help if your insurance policy doesn’t cover repairs - If your insurance policy doesn’t cover repairs to your water supply pipe then please call us on 0345 672 3723. Depending on where the leak is located, we may be able to help with the repair, subject to a number of conditions. Click here for further details about our ‘private leak repair scheme’.

• Emergency repairs - If the leak is causing damage and needs repairing urgently you’ll need to seek professional help. Visit watersafe.org.uk to find a plumber in your area.

The result from the test indicates that you may have a leak at the property. You should now check around your house for leaks. Check places including:

Also check radiators and behind any washing machines and dishwashers to make sure the water hoses are properly connected.

If you have an older toilet cistern, check the overflow pipe that goes through the wall to make sure it's not dripping. If it is, your cistern is faulty and needs repairing.

If you need help please contact a plumber to locate and repair the leak.  Visit watersafe.org.uk to find a plumber in your area.

If you live in a rented property it is your Landlord’s responsibility to find and repair the leak. Please let them know you have a leak.

The result from the test indicates that you may have a leak at the property. You should now check around your house for leaks. Check places including:

Also check radiators and behind any washing machines and dishwashers to make sure the water hoses are properly connected.

If you have an older toilet cistern, check the overflow pipe that goes through the wall to make sure it's not dripping. If it is, your cistern is faulty and needs repairing.

If you need help please contact a plumber to locate and repair the leak.  Visit watersafe.org.uk to find a plumber in your area.

If you live in a rented property it is your Landlord’s responsibility to find and repair the leak. Please let them know you have a leak.

As your two meter readings were the same, there isn't a leak in your home.

If you are concerned about your water usage or the cost of your bill, take a look at our water saving tips here.