Plumbers in Tampa Bay · Homeowner observation resource

Possible hidden-leak observation record

Organize repeatable evidence without diagnosing the pipe. A meter change, bill change, stain, sound, or odor can justify investigation but does not locate the source.

Stop for immediate hazards. Leave for water near electricity, ceiling movement, sewage, gas odor, structural danger, active floodwater, or an unsafe path. Do not open walls, ceilings, meters, utility equipment, or pressurized components.

Property / service addressDate and timeServing water utilityBilling days and gallonsOccupancy / guests / vacancyWeather / irrigation / pool useClue, exact location, timing, recurrence, and safely visible conditionMeter serial / identifier confirmedDisplayed unitsStart display and timeEnd display and timeKnown water uses stopped; automatic appliances, treatment, irrigation, pool, or shared systems consideredUtility notice, incident/reference number, and instructionsProfessional finding: system checked, evidence, limits, repair, and follow-up test

Use with the transparent online calculator

Water-loss calculation worksheet

Choose only the input route supported by your evidence. The result is planning arithmetic—not a leak diagnosis or utility bill prediction.

Method: drips / collected flow / known daily lossDate calculatedDrips per minute per fixtureAssumed mL per drop (default 0.25)Collected amount and unitCollection time in secondsKnown daily loss and unitSource of known amountSimilar fixtures representedActive hours per dayCombined rate per 1,000 gallonsRate source and review dateGallons / liters per dayGallons per average monthGallons per yearEstimated monthly costAssumptions, uncertainty, and reason this estimate is being recorded

Formula boundaries

Drips: drips/min × mL/drop × fixtures ÷ 3,785.411784 × 60 × active hours

Collected flow: collected gallons ÷ measured minutes × fixtures × 60 × active hours

Cost: gallons ÷ 1,000 × entered rate. Actual tiers, sewer charges, fixed fees, taxes, credits, and billing periods can differ.