Choose a controlled test period
Make sure taps, appliances, irrigation, toilets and other legitimate water users are not drawing water during the observation period. Record the meter reading or indicator before and after the test rather than relying on memory.
Treat movement as evidence of use, not location
Meter movement indicates that water is passing through the meter. It does not tell you where the water is going or prove that a pipe inside a wall is leaking. Tanks, toilets, irrigation and automatic systems should be considered.
Use the result to guide investigation
If unexplained use remains after obvious consumers are ruled out, the next step is to narrow the affected zone using isolation, inspection and appropriate leak-detection methods rather than opening finishes at random.
Related information
Damp Wall Near Plumbing
Dampness near pipe routes can result from a concealed leak, waste leak, waterproofing failure, condensation or moisture from another source.
Simple Water-Meter Checks for a Suspected Hidden Leak
A meter test does not locate a leak, but it can help establish whether water is flowing when known outlets are closed.
Suddenly High Water Bill
A high bill is evidence of increased recorded consumption, not proof of a concealed pipe leak. Start by ruling out common continuous water users.
Water Meter Moves When Everything Is Off
Unexpected meter movement is a useful clue that water is being used somewhere, but it does not identify the source by itself.