Find leaks fast.
One check at a time. Droplet stays on the case.
1/3 What changed?
2/3 Quick checks
3/3 Your next steps
What changed?
Quick checks
Start with the fastest, highest-odds checks.
- Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank.
- Wait 10 minutes without flushing.
- Color in the bowl = leaking flapper.
- Dry the sink and watch for steady drips.
- Check under the cabinet for moisture.
- Tighten aerators or replace washers.
- Turn the shower off fully.
- Watch for a steady drip.
- Re-seat or replace the cartridge.
- Run one zone for 2–3 minutes.
- Look for pooling or misting heads.
- Adjust heads or repair cracked lines.
Your next steps
A drip per second can waste 3,000+ gallons/year. [1]
Household leaks can waste thousands of gallons/year. [2]
If you rent: take a photo/video and notify your landlord or property manager.
Save your result or take a photo of the meter reading so you can compare it with your next bill.
Related guides after the leak screen
If the meter is quiet, the spike may be rates, sewer, or irrigation — not a drip you can hear.
Why is my water bill so high?
National diagnosis: usage vs rates vs sewer vs silent leaks.
Silent toilet leak cost
Dye-test, size the waste, fix the flapper before upgrading.
Sprinkler / irrigation timer spike
Stuck schedules and broken heads before indoor gadgets.
Compare bills month over month
Units per day — not dollars — when the total lies.