The find-a-leak worksheet

HOME PLUMBING CARE KIT · 02

Start with a quick walk-through. Allow two hours for the optional meter check.

Check accessible areas under sinks, around toilets and near appliance hoses for drips, dampness or staining. Do not move heavy appliances or open walls.
Listen for a toilet that refills when no one has flushed. Record where and when it happens.
For a standard tank toilet, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank. Wait 10 minutes without flushing. Color in the bowl indicates a leak. Flush immediately afterward to help avoid staining.

If your meter is safely accessible and serves only your home, record its reading. Arrange a two-hour period with no water use, including irrigation and automatic appliances.
Read it again. A change may indicate a leak or an overlooked water use. Ask your utility or plumber to help interpret the result; a shared meter cannot isolate your unit.

These checks find clues, not every hidden leak. Active leaking, new dampness or an unexplained usage increase deserves prompt attention.

First meter reading / time

Second meter reading / time

Location, dye-test result and next step

Keep learning.