Leak Detection in Longview, TX Find the Leak Behind a High Water Bill
A higher bill, the sound of running water or a damp spot all point to a leak. Do the two free checks below first, then call if the leak is hidden.
Why is my water bill high?
Most high bills come from one of four things: a running toilet, a dripping faucet or outdoor spicket, an irrigation leak, or a hidden leak in a wall, the yard or under the slab. The first two are easy to find. The last two need testing.
Act fast in winter. The City of Longview notes that leaks in November, December or January can affect your sewer charges for the following year. Report a fixed leak from those months to Utility Billing by May.
Two free checks you can do today
1. The toilet dye test (from the City of Longview)
- Put a few drops of food colouring in the toilet tank.
- Don’t flush for at least 30 minutes.
- If colour shows in the bowl, the tank is leaking. A new flapper usually fixes it. See toilet repair.
2. The meter check
- Turn off every tap, the washer, the dishwasher and the sprinklers.
- Look at the water meter and note the reading, or watch the small leak indicator if your meter has one.
- Wait 30 to 60 minutes without using water and look again. If it moved, water is leaking somewhere after the meter.
Is the leak the city’s or mine?
In Longview the city owns the water line from the main to the meter. From the meter to the house, the line is yours. A leak at the street or in the meter box: call the City of Longview water utility. A wet spot in the yard between the meter and the house, a leak in a wall or under the floor: that is your line, and a plumber’s job.
Good news on old pipes: the City’s service line inventory of about 30,600 lines has found no lead service lines so far.
Signs of a hidden leak
- The meter moves when all water is off
- The sound of running water when nothing is on
- Damp drywall, peeling paint or a musty smell
- A soft or wet spot in the yard on a dry day
- Warm spots on a floor (a hot water line under the slab: see slab leak repair)
- Water pressure lower than it used to be
How plumbers find hidden leaks
- Pressure test: isolating parts of the system to see which one loses pressure.
- Acoustic listening: listening equipment picks up the sound of water escaping from a pipe under a floor or the ground.
- Thermal imaging: shows warm or cool areas where hot or cold water is escaping.
- Camera: for drain leaks, a camera in the line shows cracks and broken joints.
Ask which method they will use and whether the price covers finding the leak, fixing it, or both.
Why is my water pressure low?
| Low pressure where? | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| One faucet only | Clogged aerator or cartridge | Clean the aerator; replace the cartridge |
| Hot water only | Water heater valve or sediment | Check the valve on top of the heater; flush the tank |
| Whole house, sudden | A leak, or a city main problem | Ask a neighbour; do the meter check |
| Whole house, slowly over years | Old galvanized pipes narrowing inside, or a failing pressure valve | Ask a plumber to test pressure and check the pipe type |
| Whole street | City system | Call the City of Longview water utility |
Leak detection questions
How much water does a running toilet waste?
A lot more than a dripping faucet. A running toilet can add many gallons a day; fix it quickly.
Who pays for a leak between the meter and my house?
In Longview, that line is the homeowner’s.
Will the city adjust my bill after a leak?
Report the leak to Utility Billing. Winter leaks (November to January) can affect next year’s sewer charge, so report those by May.
Can a plumber find a leak without breaking walls?
Usually, yes: pressure tests, listening equipment and thermal cameras narrow it down first.
Does Longview have lead water lines?
The City’s service line inventory has found no lead service lines so far among about 30,600 lines.
