How to Know if You Have a Hidden Water Leak by Checking Your Meter
Has your water bill suddenly skyrocketed? Learn this foolproof 5-minute trick to find out if you have a broken pipe underground.
Reviewed by David Sánchez — Certified Technician
Approved by supervisor Rafael Casas de las Peñas Del Corral
The most dangerous water leaks aren't the ones that suddenly flood the bathroom, but the hidden leaks. A small crack in a pipe under the floor or behind the wall could be leaking liters of water daily, rotting foundations, and skyrocketing your water bill.
Fortunately, there is a very simple and 100% reliable trick to know if your house is losing water.
### The 5-step meter test
- 1.Turn off all taps: Ensure no one in the house is using water. The washing machine and dishwasher must be off, and make sure no toilet cistern is leaking a trickle of water (put a bit of toilet paper in the bowl to check if it gets wet).
- 2.Go to your water meter: Locate your meter (usually in a cabinet on the landing, in the basement, or on the facade of the house).
- 3.Observe the small needle or red dial: Meters have a small star or needle that spins when water flows. If everything in your house is off, that piece must be completely still.
- 4.Wait 15 minutes: If the needle moves, even very slowly, it means water is passing through the meter into your house and escaping somewhere.
- 5.Write down the numbers: If your meter is digital or you want to be more certain, write down the numbers (including the red decimals). Go for a 2-hour walk without using any water. When you return, if the number has gone up, you have a leak.
### What to do if you discover a leak? Do not try breaking walls blindly. At PowerPro Madrid, we use leak detection technology (thermal cameras, geophones, and tracer gas) to pinpoint the exact location of the break without having to destroy your home.
Is your meter spinning non-stop or have you received a massive water bill? Contact PowerPro Madrid. Call us or send a WhatsApp to locate and repair the leak today.
