Running Water Meter

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Licensed plumbers across Brisbane, Perth & Adelaide

G★★★★★
4.6 · 2,000+ Google reviews

A water meter that keeps ticking over with all taps off means water is being wasted somewhere, almost always a leak, a running toilet, a dripping tap, or a hidden burst or leaking pipe, and it shows up as a high water bill. Our licensed plumbers use the meter and leak detection, acoustic and thermal, to locate the leak, including hidden and underground ones, without digging up the whole property, then repair it to stop the waste and the rising bill. We find and fix the leaks behind a running water meter across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with same-day service where we can and an upfront fixed price.

Why choose Same Day Trades for a running water meter

We are local, licensed and insured plumbers who do this work every day, so we get it right the first time, with no mess and no surprises on the invoice.

Fully licensed and insured plumbers
Upfront fixed pricing before we start
Same-day service where we can, with 24/7 phones
Workmanship guaranteed and the job left clean
Servicing Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide

Whatever the job, you get honest advice and a tidy, professional result.

What a running water meter means

Your water meter measures the water flowing into your property, so when all your taps and water-using appliances are off, the meter should be completely still. If the meter is still ticking over or spinning with everything off, it means water is being used somewhere, and that almost always means a leak. A running meter is in fact one of the best ways to detect a hidden leak you might not otherwise notice, before it shows up as a damp patch, a high bill, or damage. The leak could be a running toilet, a dripping tap, or a hidden burst or leaking pipe. We find and fix the leak behind a running meter across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

How to check your meter for a leak

You can do a simple leak check yourself using the meter:

Turn off all taps and water-using appliances in and around the house
Note the meter reading, including the small dials or the leak-detection indicator if it has one
Wait an hour or two without using any water
Check the meter again, if the reading has moved, water is being used, meaning a leak

Many meters also have a small leak indicator (a star or triangle) that spins with even a tiny flow. If your meter moves with everything off, you have a leak, and we can find and fix it.

Common sources of the leak

When a running meter reveals a leak, the source is usually one of these:

A running or leaking toilet, often the biggest and sneakiest water waster
A dripping tap or leaking tapware
A leaking hot water system or its valves
A hidden burst or leaking pipe, underground or in a wall
A leaking irrigation or reticulation system

A running toilet is one of the most common and overlooked causes, as it can leak continuously into the bowl with no visible sign. We methodically check these sources to find exactly where your water is going, then fix it.

Running toilets, a common culprit

One of the most common causes of a running water meter is a running toilet, where water leaks continuously from the cistern into the bowl, often silently and with no visible sign, so it can waste a huge amount of water, potentially thousands of litres, before you notice. A simple test is to put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern and wait without flushing; if the colour appears in the bowl, the toilet is leaking. The cause is usually a worn flush or inlet valve, which is a straightforward repair. If your running meter is caused by a running toilet, we can fix it quickly and stop the significant, silent water waste it causes.

Finding hidden leaks

If the leak behind your running meter is not an obvious running toilet or dripping tap, it may be a hidden leak, in a wall, under the floor, under the slab, or underground in the yard, where you cannot see it. Finding these takes specialised equipment, and we use non-invasive leak detection, acoustic listening devices that hear water escaping under pressure, thermal imaging, and pressure testing, to pinpoint the leak without digging up or opening the property. This lets us find the exact location of a hidden leak that your running meter has revealed, then repair it with minimal disruption. A running meter tells you there is a leak; our leak detection finds exactly where it is.

The high water bill connection

A running water meter and a high water bill go hand in hand, because the water the meter is recording, from the leak, is water you are paying for. A continuous leak can waste a lot of water, which shows up as a bill much higher than usual with no change in your water use. So if your bill has jumped unexpectedly, checking the meter for a leak is the first step, and a running meter confirms it. Finding and fixing the leak stops both the water waste and the rising bill. Some water authorities also offer concessions on bills for hidden leaks once they are repaired, which we can help you document, so fixing the leak can save you money twice over.

Why act on a running meter

A running meter is worth acting on promptly for a few reasons. First, it is wasting water continuously, every hour, which is both costly and, in a dry country, wasteful. Second, the leak causing it can also be causing damage, a hidden pipe leak soaks the structure, a running toilet wastes water silently, and a yard leak can undermine your property. Third, leaks tend to worsen over time. Finding and fixing the leak behind a running meter stops the waste, the rising bill, and any damage the leak is causing. Rather than let the meter keep ticking over and the bill climb, it is worth getting the leak found and fixed, which is usually a straightforward job once located.

Checking all the likely sources

When we investigate a running meter, we methodically check all the likely sources to find where the water is going. We check the toilets (a common silent leak), the taps and tapware, the hot water system and its valves, and the irrigation, and we use leak detection to locate any hidden pipe leaks. This systematic approach ensures we find the actual source, or sources, of the water loss, rather than guessing. Sometimes there is more than one leak. Once we have identified where the water is going, we can repair it and confirm, by re-checking the meter, that it has stopped. This thorough method is why we can reliably track down the cause of a running meter.

Fixing the leak

Once we have found the source of the leak, we fix it. For a running toilet, we replace the worn valve. For a dripping tap, we replace the washer or cartridge. For a leaking hot water system, we repair or replace the faulty valve or, if the tank has failed, the system. For a hidden burst or leaking pipe, we repair or replace the affected section, accessed precisely thanks to leak detection. For a leaking irrigation system, we repair the pipework or fittings. In each case, we fix the actual leak, then re-check the meter to confirm it is now still with the water off, verifying the leak is resolved and the water waste stopped.

Water pressure and leaks

Sometimes the leaks behind a running meter are linked to excessively high water pressure, which stresses taps, toilet valves, pipes and joints, causing them to leak and fail sooner. If you have multiple leaks, or leaks that keep recurring after repair, high pressure may be the underlying cause. As well as fixing the leaks, we can test your water pressure and, if it is too high, fit a pressure-limiting valve to bring it to a safe level, which protects your whole plumbing system and reduces the chance of further leaks. Addressing high pressure, where it is a factor, helps prevent the recurring leaks that would otherwise keep your meter running and your bill high.

How much does it cost?

The cost of fixing a running meter depends on the source of the leak, a running toilet or dripping tap is an affordable repair, while locating and repairing a hidden or underground pipe leak costs more, though leak detection keeps that efficient by pinpointing the leak. We find the source first, then give you an upfront fixed price for the actual repair needed, so you know the cost before we proceed. Because the leak is wasting water and money continuously, and may be causing damage, fixing it promptly is worthwhile, and often the repair pays for itself through the water it saves. We explain the options clearly so you can decide.

Same-day plumbing service

A running water meter means water, and money, are being wasted continuously, so there is no need to wait. We offer fast service and same-day appointments where we can across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, and our phones are answered around the clock for significant leaks. We investigate the running meter, find the source of the leak, whether a toilet, a tap, the hot water system, or a hidden pipe, and repair it, then confirm the meter has stopped, with an upfront price. Rather than watching your meter tick over and your bill climb, we will find and fix the leak promptly, stopping the waste.

Licensed, guaranteed plumbers

Finding and fixing the leak behind a running water meter takes a licensed plumber who can systematically check the sources and use leak detection to locate hidden leaks, then repair the real cause. Our team is fully licensed and insured, we track down the source of the water loss, repair running toilets, dripping taps, leaking hot water systems and hidden pipe leaks, address high pressure where it is a factor, and confirm the meter has stopped, and we back our work. You get an accurate diagnosis, the waste stopped, honest advice, and upfront fixed pricing. For a plumber near you for a running water meter, we cover Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Running water meter FAQs

Why is my water meter still running with all taps off?

A meter that keeps ticking over with everything off means water is being used somewhere, almost always a leak, a running toilet, a dripping tap, or a hidden burst or leaking pipe.

How do I check for a leak with the meter?

Turn off all taps and water-using appliances, note the meter reading, and check again after an hour or two. If it has moved, you have a leak. We can then locate it.

Where is the leak likely to be?

Common sources are a running or leaking toilet, a dripping tap, a leaking hot water system, or a hidden burst or leaking underground water pipe. We find the source.

Can you find a hidden leak?

Yes. We use leak detection, acoustic and thermal equipment, to pinpoint hidden and underground leaks without digging up the whole property.

Why is my water bill high?

A running meter from a leak wastes water continuously, which shows as a high bill. Finding and fixing the leak stops the waste and the rising cost.

Is a running meter urgent?

It wastes water and money continuously, and a hidden leak can cause damage, so it is worth finding and fixing promptly.

How much does it cost?

It depends on the source and repair. Detection lets us give an accurate upfront fixed price.

Do you service my area?

Yes, we find and fix the leaks behind a running water meter across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with same-day service where we can.

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Janis Cumming

Thanks so much Bradley, I really appreciate the time you spent explaining so much to me that I had never known before. I am so pleased to have someone go through my meter box & help me understand it all incase I ever have the same issue! I won’t hesitate to call you at “Same Day Service” again next time! Jan. C.

Jayne Varnish

The guys were friendly efficient & cleaned up after completion perfectly. The qualified plumber Lachlan, spoke encouragingly explaining each procedure clearly to the apprentice. Both men were fun to have working at our house!

bill dear

Coda was fantastic did a great job

GFd Gail Gorton

Great speedy service, very friendly Job well done Highly recommend Jack for repair man

Ian Liddell

Diego and Kosta, greatly appreciate the great work you both did. Impeccable service and workmanship.

Davo Zillas

Jordan was super helpful with investigating our leaking issue

julee johnson

Jack was fabulous great guy 👍

Grace Vinci

I had my Safety switch/ circuit breakers replaced by Jesse. He was helpful, polite and thorough, explained and shown me what needed to be done. He was informative also explained all options available to me giving me a choice, which I appreciated. Before leaving Jesse also made sure everything was in working order before leaving the premises.