Lacey, WA
High Water Bill Leak Detection in Lacey, WA
Your bill says you used a lot more water. Your home says nothing is wrong. Somewhere, water is leaving without you seeing it. We test the whole system and find out where.
Step One: Rule Out the Simple Stuff
Before assuming a leak, ask yourself:
- Did anything change? Guests staying over, a new baby, a new appliance, filling a pool or hot tub, a new garden, or longer sprinkler run times.
- Is it a seasonal jump? Summer irrigation is the biggest reason Lacey bills rise from late spring to fall.
- Was it an estimated read? Check your bill. An estimated reading followed by an actual read can make one bill look huge.
- Is the billing period longer? More days means more water.
If none of that explains it, move on to step two.
Step Two: Check the Meter
- Turn off every fixture, appliance and the sprinkler system.
- Find your meter. In most of Lacey it is in a box near the street.
- Look for the small leak indicator on the dial, often a triangle, star or small wheel.
- If it moves, water is flowing somewhere.
- Write down the reading, wait 30 minutes without using water, and check again.
Meter moved? You have a leak. Call (360) 000-0000.
Where the Water Usually Goes
We see the same culprits over and over.
| Leak | Why it hides | How much it can waste |
|---|---|---|
| Running toilet | The flapper leaks quietly into the bowl | Often the biggest indoor leak there is |
| Buried service line | Underground between the meter and the house | Can be large and constant |
| Irrigation valve or line | Runs at night or leaks while off | Large, especially in summer |
| Slab or crawl space leak | Under the floor, out of sight | Steady, and it causes damage too |
| Water heater relief valve | Drips into a drain line you never see | Moderate |
| Dripping faucets and hose bibs | Easy to ignore | Small but adds up |
| Water softener or filter | Stuck in a regeneration cycle | Moderate |
How We Hunt Down the Water
- Review your bills.
When did usage jump? Is it steady or seasonal?
- Measure the flow.
The meter tells us how fast water is being lost, which narrows down the likely source. A slow drip and a broken pipe look very different.
- Split inside from outside.
Closing the house valve tells us if the leak is on the buried line.
- Test fixtures.
Dye tests on toilets and checks on faucets, hose bibs and appliances.
- Check irrigation.
Close the irrigation shutoff and see if the meter stops.
- Pinpoint hidden leaks.
If the leak is under the floor, in a wall or underground, we trace it with acoustic, thermal and tracer gas tools.
- Give you a written summary
you can take to the City of Lacey utility office if you want to ask about a bill adjustment.
About Leak Adjustments
Many utilities offer some relief on a bill after a leak is found and fixed. Rules vary, and you usually need proof of the repair. Contact the City of Lacey utility billing office to ask what applies to your account, and keep our report and your repair receipts together.
For Landlords and Businesses
A high water bill at a rental or commercial building is often the first and only sign of a leak. Tenants may not notice a running toilet, and nobody checks the crawl space or the irrigation system at a business. We test the whole property and document where the water is going.
Frequently Asked Questions
My bill doubled but I cannot see any water. Is it really a leak?
Very likely, if nothing else changed. The most common hidden sources are toilets, the buried service line and irrigation.
How do I check if my toilet is leaking?
Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait 15 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.
Can the city tell me where the leak is?
The utility can confirm your meter is recording use, but finding a leak on your side of the meter is usually up to the property owner.
Why is my bill high only in summer?
Irrigation is the most common reason. A leaking sprinkler valve or line makes it worse.
Will you find the leak in one visit?
In most cases, yes. A whole system test covers indoors, the service line and irrigation in one visit.
and let us find the water you are paying for.