red triangle on water meter

[econguy]

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]

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?

[Redwood]

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

[hj]

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

[Redwood]

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

Time to check for leaks!

[GrumpyPlumber]

Lets place bets, mine is on a leaky flapper.

[patrick88]

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]

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.

[econguy]

Thanks for the replies, folks.

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

[Redwood]

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]

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]

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