Phantom Leak

[matzyboy]

I am losing nearly 150 gallons of water a day and my plumber can't locate the leak. The cistern and supply line have been eliminated as possible sources. Pressure tank recharges about every 35 minutes and runs for about 25 seconds. All toilets, sinks, spiggots and appliances have been checked by plumber. Absoulutely no signs of water inside or out. All water lines are above ground, nothing buried in concrete.

 

[havasu]

Who says you are losing 150 gallons a day?

 

[matzyboy]

By measuring the loss in the cistern

 

[havasu]

Do you have a one way check valve that is not working correctly?

 

[matzyboy]

Do you have a one way check valve that is not working correctly?

The check valve is working properly
Thanks

 

[GReynolds929]

Any toilets running, faucets dripping? If you shut the valve on the house feed does the pressure still drop? Any pictures of your setup?

 

[matzyboy]

Any toilets running, faucets dripping? If you shut the valve on the house feed does the pressure still drop? Any pictures of your setup?

Toilets and faucets have been thoroughly checked. If the house feed valve is closed there is no pressure drop in tank

 

[Rickyman]

Irrigation?

 

[matzyboy]

Irrigation?

Irrigation is on a separate cistern and pump not connected to house

 

[GReynolds929]

If the house feed valve is closed there is no pressure drop in tank

Then the leak is downstream of the house feed valve. Possibly on the main supply line underground. Slab or crawlspace?

 

[Rickyman]

Do you have any floor drains? Trap primer could be constantly running

 

[matzyboy]

Then the leak is downstream of the house feed valve. Possibly on the main supply line underground. Slab or crawlspace?

Supply line between cistern and pressure tank has been pressure tested

 

[matzyboy]

Do you have any floor drains? Trap primer could be constantly running

No floor drain

 

[MicEd69]

Can you provide a sketch of your system? What kind of pump do you have? Where is it located?

 

[matzyboy]

I am terrible at drawing so I will provide some pictures and try to explain. The house has four levels: basement, sub-basement, main floor, and second floor. The water supply line enters in the sub basement and connects to the pressure tank. Line leaves pressure tank to hot water heater and cold water lines. There are no water lines in the basement and all water lines are copper and above ground. The house has three drains that feed to the line to the septic tank. Drain 1 serves 2nd floor bathrooms, drain 2 serves main floor sinks, drain 3 serves sub basement bathroom this drain is in the concrete floor. The pump is a Grunfos submersible and is located in the cistern.

 

[GReynolds929]

If you shut this valve does the pressure bleed down?

Also your thermal expansion tank is on the wrong side of the water heater and unsupported. When it gets waterlogged you'll risk damaging the piping.

 

[matzyboy]

If you shut this valve does the pressure bleed down?

Also your thermal expansion tank is on the wrong side of the water heater and unsupported. When it gets waterlogged you'll risk damaging the piping.

When I shut this valve the pressure tank does not bleed down. When I open the valve after an hour or so I can hear water charging the system

 

[havasu]

Paging @Valveman

 

[sarg]

So you open the valve supplying the home and then the pressure tank drains and cycles your system ? That indicates the water is going somewhere inside your home piping.

 

[matzyboy]

So you open the valve supplying the home and then the pressure tank drains and cycles your system ? That indicates the water is going somewhere inside your home piping.

Exactly