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How to use your water meter to check for leaks

If you have a water meter it's really easy to find out if you have a leak in your home. We've explained how to do this below.

Meter icon

Don't have a water meter?

If you don't have a water meter you won't be able to do this test. Instead, you should check the areas of your home that are leakage hotspots. Click the button below for more.

Common indoor leaks

Step 1: Turn off all of your water using appliances

To perform a leak test, the first thing you'll need to do is turn off any water using appliances you might have. This includes appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines.

Step 2: Wait 30 minutes to allow any tanks or cisterns to fill up and then take a meter reading

Now you should wait 30 minutes to allow any tanks or cisterns to fill up then take a meter reading (including the red digits) and make a note of this as you'll need to check whether the reading goes up later. The video below explains how to read your meter.

Not sure if your meter is inside or outside your home?

The location of your meter will be shown on your recent bill. Alternatively, you can download our app to find out where your meter is located.

Download our app

Step 3: Wait 3-6 hours and take another meter reading

You should wait 3-6 hours and take another meter reading. Do not use any water in between readings.

Was the second reading higher than the first?
Is your water meter located inside your home?

Take your meter readings again with your stop tap turned off

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

Is the second reading higher than the first?

Final step

Single supply pipe example

Pipework responsibility

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:

leaking pipes

Leaking toilet cisterns

leaking pipes

Dripping indoor taps and/or pipes

Shower head

Dripping showers

Dripping tap

Dripping outside taps

Overflow pipe

Dripping overflow pipe (located outside)

water tank

Water tank leaks

Dishwasher

Behind your washing machine and dishwasher

leaking pipes

Dripping pipes under you kitchen or bathroom sink

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.

Leakage allowance

If you 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.

If you're a business customer, please read our leak allowance policy for business and retailer customers.

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:

leaking pipes

Leaking toilet cisterns

leaking pipes

Dripping indoor taps and/or pipes

Shower head

Dripping showers

Dripping tap

Dripping outside taps

Overflow pipe

Dripping overflow pipe (located outside)

water tank

Water tank leaks

Dishwasher

Behind your washing machine and dishwasher

leaking pipes

Dripping pipes under you kitchen or bathroom sink

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.

Leakage allowance

If you 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.

If you're a business customer, please read our leak allowance policy for business and retailer customers.

Good news! You don't 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.

Important notice

Heavy rainfall and sewer flooding

The heavy rainfall may be causing flooding in some parts of the region.

Our teams are out working hard across the region helping our customers who have experienced sewer flooding in their homes.

If you’re experiencing flooding from a road or footpath and there is no evidence of sewage (toilet paper etc.) please report this to your local council, who are responsible for highways drainage flooding.

Please be aware that our phone lines are much busier than normal, take a look at our flooding page for further advice on what to do if you’re affected by flooding.

Heavy rainfall across the North West may be causing flooding in some parts of the region. Our teams are out working hard across the region helping our customers who have experienced sewer flooding in their homes.

Flooding advice

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