The fastest way to tell if you have a leak
Run the meter test. Turn off every tap, the ice maker, the washer and the dishwasher, then look at your water meter. If the dial or the small low-flow indicator keeps moving, water is going somewhere you cannot see.
That one check separates a real leak from a high bill caused by heavy use. It also tells you whether the problem is inside the house or on the line between the meter and the house. The steps below take about fifteen minutes and cost nothing.
Do the meter test step by step
- 1
Stop all water use
Close every faucet and make sure no one flushes a toilet or starts a cycle. Check that the irrigation timer is not running.
- 2
Read the meter
Lift the meter lid and note the dial position or the digits. Take a photo so you can compare later.
- 3
Wait and look again
Give it ten to twenty minutes with nothing running, then check the meter again. Any movement means a leak.
- 4
Close the house valve
Shut the main valve at the house and watch the meter. If it stops, the leak is inside. If it still moves, the leak is on the line between the meter and the house.
Signs inside the house that point to a leak
| What you notice | Likely place | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Meter moves with everything off | Anywhere on the supply side | Run the meter test and the valve test |
| Water bill creeping up with no change in habits | Slow leak in a toilet, line or fixture | Dye test for toilets, then look under sinks |
| Warm spot on the floor | Hot water line under the slab | Note where it is and call us |
| Stained or bubbling ceiling paint | Supply line, drain or roof above | Check for drips and noise in the wall |
| Sound of running water in silence | Pressurized line in a wall or floor | Listen at each room with everything off |
| Musty smell or soft baseboards | Hidden leak behind a wall | Look for moisture and mold near the bottom edge |
Check the usual suspects before you call
Toilets are the most common quiet leak. Drop a few drops of food coloring into the tank, wait fifteen minutes without flushing, and see if color shows up in the bowl. If it does, the flapper is not sealing.
Next, look under every sink for damp cabinet floors, check the water heater base for moisture, and walk the yard for wet patches near the meter or the house. A lawn that stays green and soggy in dry weather can point to a leaking supply line outside.
Quick safety checklist while you investigate
Water near power is the main danger, so slow down if anything is wet near outlets.
- If water is near outlets or an appliance, shut power to that area at the breaker first.
- Do not step into standing water near electrical equipment.
- If you smell gas, leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 before anyone calls a plumber.
- Know where your main shutoff is and test that it turns.
- Take photos of damage in case you need to file an insurance claim.
When a visit is worth it
If the meter test says you have a leak and you cannot find it, hand it to a professional. Our leak detection visit uses an acoustic listening device, a moisture meter and pressure testing to locate the leak before any wall or floor is opened. That keeps repair small and targeted.
There are limits. Some leaks are too slow or too deep to hear, and a leak under concrete may need a second method to confirm. We tell you what we found, what we could not confirm and what the next step would be.
If the leak is outside or under the slab
A leak that shows on the meter but not inside the walls is often on the supply line. That is the territory of water line repair, where the pipe from the meter to the house is found and fixed. A warm floor or a hot water bill spike with a quiet house points under the slab instead.
Royal Palm Beach note: your meter and your bill
Water for the Village comes from Palm Beach County Water Utilities, and their customer service line is (561) 740-4600. If a bill jumps, ask them what the meter recorded and whether the pattern looks like a continuous flow. Addresses south of Southern Boulevard are served by Village of Wellington Utilities at (561) 791-4010.
Pipe repairs that open a wall or replace lines usually need a permit, and the Village states that most work done in Royal Palm Beach requires a building permit. Call the Village building department at (561) 790-5128 before a larger repair.
Source type: county utility customer service information and Village of Royal Palm Beach building department web pages
Nearby towns follow similar steps
Homes on a well, as in parts of The Acreage, have no utility meter at the street, so the meter test works differently. There you would watch the pressure tank and the pump cycling instead. Homes in Wellington follow the same meter test as above with their own utility.
Call the 24/7 line and a licensed plumber can track down the leak.
Sources and standards
The water meter test and shutoff steps here are standard homeowner practice, and any pipe repair that follows is held to the Florida Building Code, Plumbing, 8th Edition (2023). Palm Beach County Water Utilities, at (561) 740-4600, can answer billing and meter questions according to its customer service line.
Finding a water leak in Royal Palm Beach
How do I know if my water bill is high because of a leak?
Compare the last few bills to the same months of last year. If use rose and your household did not change, run the meter test. A meter that moves with every fixture off confirms a leak.
Can I find a hidden leak without cutting into the wall?
Often yes. Acoustic listening, a moisture meter and a pressure test narrow the location before anything is opened. A small inspection hole may still be needed to confirm the spot.
What does a warm spot on the floor mean?
A hot water line may be leaking beneath the slab. Mark the area, avoid the temptation to dig, and call us for a locate.
Should I shut off the water if I suspect a leak?
Yes, if you see active water or damage. Closing the main stops further damage while you wait for help. Turning it off for a short time costs you nothing.
Who do I contact about the meter in Royal Palm Beach?
Call Palm Beach County Water Utilities at (561) 740-4600 for account and meter questions. If your address is south of Southern Boulevard, your utility is Village of Wellington Utilities.
Question not answered here? Call the 24/7 line at (561) 448-8545 and talk to a plumber.