A plumbing leak doesn’t always announce itself with a flooded apartment or water pouring across the parking lot. Sometimes, the first warning is a water bill that keeps climbing.
For multifamily communities and commercial properties in the Phoenix area, tracking unexplained water use can help identify problems before visible damage develops.
Start With Water Usage, Not Just the Dollar Amount
A higher bill deserves a closer look, but it doesn’t automatically mean a pipe is leaking. Compare the actual gallons used and the number of days in each billing period. Consider changes in occupancy, irrigation schedules, and other property activities.
EPA WaterSense recommends using metering and leak detection as part of a facility’s water-management program.
For property managers, our recommendation is simple: keep a monthly usage log. When consumption changes unexpectedly, investigate the reason instead of waiting for another billing cycle.
Look Beyond the Obvious Plumbing Problems
During property walks and unit maintenance, pay attention to:
- Toilets that keep running or refill when nobody has used them.
- Water collecting around fixtures or equipment.
- Wet areas on the grounds that don’t match recent rain or irrigation.
- Unexpected water flowing into floor drains.
- The sound of running water when nearby fixtures are off.
EPA’s facility leak checklist identifies running water, unexpected drain discharge, and unexplained wet spots as conditions worth investigating. These signs provide clues; they don’t establish the source on their own.
Give Maintenance Teams a Clear Reporting Process
A useful report does more than say, “There’s water outside.”
Ask staff to document the exact building or unit number, when the condition appeared, photographs, and whether it changes throughout the day. Include any recent plumbing work or similar resident complaints.
That information gives the responding plumber a better starting point and helps management recognize recurring problems.
For resident reports, encourage people to submit running toilets, drips, and unexplained moisture promptly. Small issues are easier to track when they reach the maintenance team early.
Understand What the Water Meter Can Tell You
Meter readings can help identify unexplained consumption. However, an occupied apartment community may have legitimate water use at almost any hour.
A moving meter alone doesn’t prove there is a leak. Residents, irrigation, laundry facilities, and other equipment must be considered. A plumber can help plan a controlled check and determine whether sections of the system need further investigation.
EPA’s commercial guidance describes comparing meter readings during periods without expected water use as one method for identifying possible leaks.
Consider Leak Monitoring Where It Makes Sense
Moisture sensors and water-flow monitoring serve different purposes. Moisture sensors detect water where it shouldn’t be; flow-monitoring devices can flag unusual consumption patterns.
EPA notes that these technologies can be used in multifamily and commercial buildings to help reduce water waste and damage.
Before selecting a system, decide who will receive alerts and who will respond. An alert is most useful when someone can act on it.
Make Leak Checks Part of Preventative Maintenance
Our recommendation is to include plumbing checks during unit turns, routine property walks, and equipment inspections. Record the repairs completed, then continue reviewing water usage to see whether the unexplained consumption has improved.
A consistent process helps property managers make informed repair decisions and keep better records of their plumbing systems.
D.W. Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. serves multifamily communities and commercial properties throughout the Phoenix metro area. If your property has unexplained water use, recurring leaks, or a plumbing emergency, contact our team to discuss the next steps.
24-hour emergency service: 623-979-6778
Visit dwplumbing.com.
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