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    mandrel2's Avatar
    mandrel2 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Feb 16, 2011, 02:25 PM
    Plumbing question
    I live in a manufactured home in a community. Four months ago new water meters were installed and the following month my water bill went up 500%.
    I have checked all pluming underneath and inside the home, all faucets and toilets everything is dry and in working order.
    I have heard back-pressure sounds or like living in an apartment building and hearing some other apartment using water.
    Any input would be appreciated.

    Jon
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
     
    #2

    Feb 16, 2011, 02:57 PM

    I would first check all toilets to see if any are running continuously due to sediment in the fill valve.
    Next, with no water being used, I would check the water meter for water usage. If you see signs of water being used at the meter, begin turning off stop valves at all toilets and faucets, one at a time to isolate any leaking.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
     
    #3

    Feb 16, 2011, 03:26 PM

    Did you do a DYE test at the toilet tanks? If not, take 10-15 drops of really dark food coloring and drip it into each toilet TANK. Wait an hour and then check the toilet BOWL(s) and if color is present then you have a defective flapper(s) and this could very well be the issue with the increased cost.

    Let us know what you discover, OK?

    Mark
    Ilike's Avatar
    Ilike Posts: 34, Reputation: 3
    Junior Member
     
    #4

    Mar 3, 2011, 12:29 PM
    If you have access to your water meter in your yard I would take the lid off and then turn off the master water valve in your home.

    If you can access the meter and the water meter continues to "spin" after the master valve is turned off it would indicate a leak in the line between the meter and the house.

    If the meter stops spinning turn the master valve back on and re-check the meter to see if it is spinning. Provided all the faucets are turned off in the home, and it is spinning this indicates you have a leak somewhere in or underneath the manufactured home.

    Note: Many water meters are locked and require special tools to open and it is fineable offense to tamper with a locked city water meter. If the meter is locked call the city or water provider and have them send someone over to unlock it (just tell them you are trying to figure out why your water bill increased 500% and that you think you might have a leak in the line). In our community this is usually a free service... but don't expect them to stay longer than 20 minutes. Sometimes when a city changes out a water meter it will tweak the existing older lines and cause a leak.

    Goodluck!
    rojo1's Avatar
    rojo1 Posts: 59, Reputation: 6
    Junior Member
     
    #5

    Mar 4, 2011, 08:13 PM
    Also in most manufactured home communities the park used to not meter each unit. You may have a tap off
    Your system going to other units. Shut all your fixtures,not the main and watch the meter.

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