The 10-minute meter test
- Turn off every faucet, appliance and the irrigation controller.
- Find your meter box (usually near the curb) and note the reading and the small leak indicator (a triangle or star).
- Wait 10–15 minutes without using water. If the indicator moved or the reading changed, water is leaving somewhere.
- Close the main shutoff at the house and check again. Still moving? The leak is in the yard line. Stopped? It's inside or under the slab.
A moving meter with nothing visibly wet is the classic sign of a slab leak. See our slab leak consulting before anyone jackhammers.