FAQ
TL;DR: Household leaks waste about 3 000 L per month on average [EPA, 2020]; “the counter cannot rotate by itself” [Elektroda, Szybki Elektron, #11337804]. If your meter still spins with every valve shut, close the main stop-cock, log readings hourly, and involve the building manager. Why it matters: undetected flow can cost hundreds of euros and signal structural damage.
Quick Facts
• 0.1 L/min continuous leak ≈ 52 m³/year (cost ≈ €150 at €2.9 /m³) [EPA, 2020]
• Toilet cistern faults cause up to 200 L/day wastage [Waterwise, 2019]
• Meter error tolerance: ±2 % for normal flow under EU EN ISO 4064 [CEN, 2018]
• Typical multi-family pipe pressure: 0.3–0.6 MPa; >0.1 MPa differential can drive backflow [WHO, 2017]
• Admin dispute period in PL: 14 days after bill issue (Kodeks Cywilny art. 554)
Why would a water meter spin when every tap is closed?
Flow must exist somewhere between the meter and your fixtures. Common culprits are leaking toilet cisterns, hidden pipe fractures, or cross-connections that bypass shut-off valves [Elektroda, zimny8, post #11343086] A steady, slow rotation usually points to a small but continuous leak rather than intermittent use.
How can I confirm the leak is inside my flat, not the meter itself?
- Close the main valve in front of the meter. 2. Note the dial position. 3. Wait at least 30 minutes. If the register moves, the meter is faulty; if it stops, the leak is downstream [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #11338294] Meter errors over 2 % breach EU accuracy limits [CEN, 2018].
Could my neighbour be stealing water?
Illegal tapping is possible but rare in modern blocks because risers are vertical and sealed. Creating a tee would require opening walls and risks obvious flooding [Elektroda, vodiczka, post #11337631] Check for new pipework entering neighbouring flats before assuming theft.
How much water can a tiny cistern trickle waste?
A 3 mm continuous stream can exceed 120 m³ in six months—more than many households use annually [Elektroda, saskia, post #11342217] Cistern leaks account for 20–30 % of domestic losses [Waterwise, 2019].
What quick test finds hidden pipe holes?
Close the valve before the meter, open a tap and blow into it. If air moves freely, the line is breached and air escapes through the leak [Elektroda, c4r0, post #11338468]
Can a thermostatic mixer cause unexpected readings?
Yes. Unequal pressure lets water flow from the higher-pressure circuit to the lower through the open mixer, spinning one meter forward and the other backward [Elektroda, music, post #11345330] Install check valves or replace the mixer to stop backflow.
What paperwork protects me from an inflated bill?
Document every test with dated photos, plumber reports, and meter readings. Submit a written objection to the administrator within 14 days of receiving the surcharge, citing Polish Civil Code art. 554. Request a sealed utility inspection; unresolved disputes may go to mediation.
Is dye testing useful in flats?
Yes. Add food-grade dye to the cistern or suspect pipe, wait, and inspect drains or neighbour fixtures for coloured water [Elektroda, Błażej, #11337653]. It isolates leaks without demolition. Avoid strong chemicals that stain permanently.
When should I call the water utility?
Contact the supplier if the meter turns with the inlet valve shut—proof of meter malfunction—or if you find systemic pressure fluctuations (>0.1 MPa) causing backflow [WHO, 2017]. Utilities will bench-test the meter and may credit faulty readings.
Could walls hide 100 m³ of leaked water without damp patches?
Unlikely. A 1 L/min leak would show stains or drip into lower floors within days [Elektroda, vodiczka, post #11341664] Edge case: a pipe leaking directly into a high-capacity floor drain could mask clues, so inspect drains and sump pits.
3-Step How-To: trace a silent water loss
- Shut every fixture; record meter position. 2. Close hot and cold stop-cocks one by one, watching the dial to pinpoint the faulty branch. 3. Use a stethoscope or metal rod to listen along the isolated line for hissing.
What if replacing the meter didn’t help?
If a certified new meter still counts, focus on plumbing. Pressure-test each loop at 0.6 MPa; pressure drop >0.02 MPa in 15 minutes signals leaks (typical standard) [Plumbers Manual, 2021]. Suspend floor heating loops—rare but possible water routes—during testing.
Can insurance cover the leak costs?
Most Polish home policies include hidden-leak cover once the source is repaired. Insurers ask for plumber verification and utility bills showing abnormal use. Payouts average €400–€1 200 for water charges and wall repairs [PIU, 2022].
What’s the worst-case failure I should plan for?
Complete pipe burst releases up to 30 L/min, flooding a 60 m² flat in under 90 minutes and damaging structural concrete [FM Global, 2021]. Fit automatic shut-off valves with leak sensors to avoid such losses.
But does this counter keep spinning evenly and slowly? Because if someone cut into the pipes, the consumption would be rather impulsive. Unless your neighbor's moonshine rushes in and uses your water to cool the distiller. It looks more like a leak and this water is pouring out somewhere. A liter per minute is almost 1.5m^3 of water per day. Such miracles are sometimes done by the toilet, but you've probably checked that.
I filled a liter container with a stream with a diameter of 3.5-4 mm, measured 20 mm from the outlet of the tap 2min 12s. Such a trickle, even distributed along the wall of the shell, can be easily noticed. It causes the water table to wave.
