AboutCortez (cort) Cate Expertise I can answer most questions related to residential and commercial plumbing for buildings up to ten-stories in height. I have excellent knowledge of the UPC, Uniform Plumbing Code and UMC, Uniform Mechanical Code. In the event there is a question I am not sure of I will at least let you know what I think and try to give you realistic options. Some problems are unique and may not have a simple answer. In those cases I will try to give you all the variables I know of.
Experience Since 1972 a California licensed B-1 General Building Contractor, C-36 Plumbing and C-16 Fire Sprinkler Contractor; also installing and servicing Heating, Air Conditioning and Sheet Metal operating as C and C Building and Plumbing, California State License 279516. In 1995 I downsized the company to become semi-retired. Still I remain active in the construction industry.
As head of a company I placed personnel and job safety as the number one objective followed closely by training and continuing education. Always seeking to stay informed of leading edge technology in the industry.
Also I have spent several years as an Apprenticeship Instructor in the Pipe Trades Unions.
Additionally I am a certified OSHA instructor.
Question I live in Tenn in an old farm house.It appears the underground water pipe from the street to the house has a leak.We know it's a galvanized pipe but no idea how old it is. My water usage is about 4 times normal. The leak indicator on the meter, a small white triangle, turns a bit then stops every second or so. No, it's not a toilet. I have twice closed the main house shutoff and the meter still turns. There are no obvious wet or over-green spots in the yard. The meter is quite old but the water company says it can't be the problem. Of course they just don't want to be bothered because it's my bill. I had a plumber with 30 yrs experience here and he couldn't find anything but did say he had never seen a leak in a pipe start and stop like that. I have on my job with high pressue chromatography systems but it was always at a rubber seal and there aren't any in this system with the house turned off. I'm really reluctant to spend $3000 for a new water main and find out it really is the meter. Any ideas?
Thanks, Ed Beach
Answer Hi Ed,
Sorry I was not able to answer earlier.
First off, if the service line is galvanized you are going to have to replace it some day regardless; I would think an inspection to the quality of the line is in order before I do much more. But to isolate the leak (conventional wisdom says it is in the service line), you will need to disconnect the meter. It will generally be best to cap the service line just beyond the meter. You will need to disconnect the service line from the house and attach a pressure gauge with a schrader valve and air test the line. Now you have isolated the service line (assuming you have no tees between and if you do you have to make sure they are capped also) and you will have your answer.
Always we are assuming the meter is not at fault; the chances of the meter being faulty are not good, thankfully. In most municipalities you own the meter but have deeded it to the water company. They may make you buy a new one and they specify the brand, etc..
You say the toilet is not leaking but I will bet you that your house service valve (unless it is a fairly new one or a ball valve) is leaking. Gate valves just don't hold tight after a few years in an iron-pipe system. Actually it doesn't have to be an iron-pipe system, just hard water will cause enough build-up that the valve has a difficult sealing good.
Now, getting back to the main service; it must be a long distance and have a lot of obstacles to cost three-thousand. I would almost come back and install a new line sight unseen for that money (I said almost). Hire a laborer to dig the ditch and supervise his installing a new PVC water service main. I always recommend you use 1-1/2” when replacing but in no case should it ever be less than one-inch pipe.
You said the meter is quite old. If the service line is the same age I would not recommend that you spend any more money checking it any way but rather put that money toward a new line, but don't pay three-grand for it.
