Red triangle on water meter

LiamM · Dec 31, 2007

Hi

I recently noticed that the red triangle on the face of my water meter was moving back and forth by about 3/4 of a revolution. Each time it moved forward-backwards-forward, it ended up a little past where it was.

I didn't have any fixtures, etc turned on while this was happening. Is the only cause of this a leak somewhere? And why would it be moving backwards?

Thanks for any feedback

Mike Swearingen · Dec 31, 2007

Meter leak indicators can be a little "sensitive". They spin very rapidly when any water is running, and should be at a stop when not.
Do you have traffic going by nearby or anything else that might be causing it to move? Public water pressure fluctuations?

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Redwood · Dec 31, 2007

Time to check all the faucets for drips and dye test the toilet tanks.

hj · Jan 1, 2008

red

If it is moving back and forth, then it is responding to pressure fluctuations. A leak would make it rotate.

Redwood · Jan 1, 2008

Each time it moved forward-backwards-forward, it ended up a little past where it was.

Time to check for leaks!

GrumpyPlumber · Jan 1, 2008

Lets place bets, mine is on a leaky flapper.

Patrick88 · Jan 1, 2008

I would check the water level of the toilet(s). I once had a toilet fill to the top of the over flow and stop then drain down the overflow then fill again. It was a stop go stop go. Then again a bad flapper will do the same thing

GrumpyPlumber · Jan 1, 2008

patrick88 said:
I would check the water level of the toilet(s). I once had a toilet fill to the top of the over flow and stop then drain down the overflow then fill again. It was a stop go stop go. Then again a bad flapper will do the same thing

Dam, ya got me, I shoulda just generalized and said toilet...good point.

LiamM · Jan 1, 2008

Thanks for the replies, folks.

I'll test the toilets and faucets this weekend, and post an update with any findings.

Redwood · Jan 1, 2008

patrick88 said:
I would check the water level of the toilet(s). I once had a toilet fill to the top of the over flow and stop then drain down the overflow then fill again. It was a stop go stop go. Then again a bad flapper will do the same thing

That is also what happens when a bowl refill tube is too far down the owerflow tube and the tank water level is set too high.

Patrick88 · Jan 1, 2008

Redwood said:
That is also what happens when a bowl refill tube is too far down the owerflow tube and the tank water level is set too high.

Ya I tend to install the air gap so that doesn't happen. Saves the call backs for something that could have been prevented with one minor piece.

Herk · Jan 1, 2008

My vote is for pressure fluctuations. I agree that if something was using water, the indicator would only move in one direction.

Red triangle on water meter

LiamM

New Member

Mike Swearingen

New Member

Sponsor

Paid Advertisement

Redwood

Master Plumber

hj

Master Plumber

Redwood

Master Plumber

GrumpyPlumber

Licensed Grump

Patrick88

Plumber

GrumpyPlumber

Licensed Grump

LiamM

New Member

Redwood

Master Plumber

Patrick88

Plumber

Herk

Plumber

Similar threads