Quick Answer:
If none of your fixtures have water but your water meter is moving, water is leaving the meter somewhere. First, turn everything off and watch the meter. If it still moves, isolate parts of the system one at a time (water heater, irrigation, softener). If the meter never stops after isolating the whole house, suspect a leak between the meter and the house or a stuck automatic valve. Act quickly — hidden flow can cause big problems.
Why This Happens
- Hidden leak on the service line between the meter and the building. This can run under slabs, beside foundations, or in crawlspaces where it’s not visible.
- Automatic valves or devices running without visible fixtures: water heater auto-fill, irrigation controllers, water softener regeneration, or a stuck toilet fill valve.
- Bypass plumbing left open or a valve in a bypass position that allows continuous flow.
- Meter or valve faults that let water move even with fixtures closed.
- Situations that overlap with other supply problems — for example, if your main shutoff was tripped. See notes on Whole house supply shutoff accidentally triggered and how that can complicate diagnosis, and consider whether this resembles an instance of Intermittent whole-house pressure drops if the problem is not constant.
Step-by-Step What to Do
1. Turn everything off and watch the meter
Close every faucet, turn off all appliances that use water (dishwasher, washing machine), and make sure no automatic systems are running. Observe the meter:
- If the meter stops: the flow was coming from something you turned off. Re-open devices one at a time to find the source.
- If the meter still moves: there is still demand somewhere — proceed to isolate branches.
2. Isolate major branches one at a time
Work through common hidden-demand sources and watch the meter after each change.
- Water heater: close the cold-water shutoff valve to the heater (or place the heater on bypass) and watch the meter.
- Irrigation: turn off the irrigation controller and close the irrigation main valve.
- Water softener/filtration: switch the softener to bypass or close its inlet valve.
- Toilets and fixtures: check for running toilets by adding a few drops of food coloring to tanks (wait 10–15 minutes) or listen for constant fill sounds.
3. Close the indoor main shutoff to isolate the house
Locate and close the home’s main shutoff (usually inside near where the service line enters). Then watch the meter:
- If the meter stops when the interior shutoff is closed — the leak or flow is inside the house plumbing. Keep the shutoff closed and call a plumber to locate and repair.
- If the meter keeps moving with the interior shutoff closed — the issue is on the service line between the meter and the house or the meter itself. Contact the water utility and a plumber; do not assume it’s inside the house.
4. If the meter never stops, take next steps
- Look for signs at ground level: wet spots, unusually green patches, sinkholes, or water pooling near the foundation or sidewalk.
- Contact your water utility to report continuous meter movement — they can check for a service-line leak or a faulty meter.
- If the leak appears to be on your property and you can safely access it, call a licensed plumber experienced with service lines. If there is structural or road damage, call the utility immediately.
What Not to Do
- Don’t ignore meter movement—hidden leaks can escalate fast and undermine foundations.
- Don’t start digging blindly near the meter, sidewalk, or foundation. Underground utilities run there; call your local utility-locate service before digging.
- Don’t attempt major repairs on the service line if you are not licensed. Service-line work may require permits and coordination with the water company.
- Don’t assume running water noise is harmless — persistent flow can cause major water loss and structural damage.
When to Call a Professional
- Meter still moves after you’ve closed the indoor main shutoff — call the water utility and a plumber right away.
- You find pooling water, sinkholes, or wet areas under the slab or near the foundation — call a plumber immediately to prevent structural damage.
- You can’t locate or operate shutdown valves, or you’re unsure how to safely isolate devices — call a licensed plumber.
- If you suspect the meter itself is faulty, notify the water utility and request an inspection or meter test.
Safety Notes
- Avoid walking through standing water in basements or crawlspaces — there may be electrical hazards. Shut off power to affected areas if safe to do so, or call an electrician.
- Do not use power tools in wet areas. Wait until areas are dry or the power is isolated and a professional has evaluated the scene.
- If you see major erosion, sinkholes, or structural cracks, keep clear of the area and call professionals — these are hazards beyond routine plumbing repairs.
- When in doubt, call your water utility first for suspected service-line leaks; they can advise who is responsible and coordinate safe shutdowns.
Common Homeowner Questions
- Why is the meter moving if no taps are open?
Because water is flowing somewhere the household can’t see — a hidden leak, an automatic valve, or a device in bypass. - Can I shut off the service at the meter myself?
Only if the meter box and valve are accessible and you are sure how to operate them; otherwise contact the water utility to avoid damaging the meter or violating local rules. - How fast can a hidden leak cause damage?
It depends on flow rate, but even a slow leak can cause mold or foundation issues over weeks to months; a large leak can cause visible damage within hours to days.