Water Pressure Tester - Is There Such a Thing?

[Tech123]

Hi,

Last week our latest water bill came in and the wife noticed it had gone up quite a bit. So we were wondering if there is such an item that can test for a leakage in the water system?

If there is such an item(s), are they expensive? Failing that, do plumbers provide such a service?

Any advice or help would be much appreciated.

Regards
Tech

[damian]

A plumber can certainly do that for you but you can do it yourself.

You need a pressure gauge with a range over 100 psi, and fittings to attach it to a tap. Ebay has cheap gauges. A garden hose connector to a threaded tap outside or in the laundry (cold not hot) a short length of garden hose clamped on to a suitable fitting to the gauge.

Attach it to tap, turn on water,make sure it doesn't leak. Make sure all taps in house are off. The gauge will read between 50 and 100 psi.

Now turn off at the mains. Watch gauge.Ideally it should hold pressure but it might fall very slowly over time. If it falls fairly fast,say half the speed of a second hand, you have a leak.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/0-200psi-0-14bar-Hydraulic-Water-Pressure-Gauge-40mm-Dial-Meter-1-8-NPT-GL/162766678867?hash=item25e5a66b53:g:nLEAAOSwLdBaE81z&frcectupt=true

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Male-x-Female-Thread-Hex-Reducer-Bushing-Pipe-Fitting-Stainless-Steel-304-SS-NPT/112984515384?hash=item1a4e66e338:m:mFV9su2A3H1jWtjr45iuEJw&frcectupt=true

The od of 1/4 npt is about 13mm so your garden hose and a hose clamp should do it.

[Beardy]

First thing to do is to check if your water meter is ticking over when you not using anything
If it is running then start isolating items like turning off the toilet cisterns etc to see if you can find the source
If you still can’t stop the meter running then call a plumber

[Tech123]

Thank you Damian & Beardy for your replies, much appreciated.

Beardy, I did what you said and I checked it a couple of times (on different days) and the figure(s) hadn't moved so it saved me having to buy a pressure tester:)

Thx to you both again.