Water leak indicator

[MF1652]

I have an under ground outdoor hydrant to water the horses that was struck by someone and bent. I'm concerned there may be a leak in the shut off valve under ground if it bent enough.

I've been searching around and can't come up with anything. If you have your water supply from a municipality there is a leak indicator on the water meter. I have my own water supply and was wondering if there was any sort of guage that can be installed to act as a water leak indicator? Something which would let me know if the hydrant is leaking.

The hydrant is burried six feet down so I'm hoping to avoid digging it up if it's not needed.

 

[Kays Supply]

They sell test gauges that have a garden hose female fitting. Screw that onto your hydrant or any garden hose tap in your system. Shut the valve on your pump, or pull the power. Watch the gauge.

 

[zzvyb6]

All my hydrants have shutoff valves located between the hydrant and the well. When I suspect a leak, I time the well pump cycling to measure how often it runs. I shut down the pressure tank, too. Then I can isolate the line that is suspect and compared the timings to the ones I consider 'normal'. You may be able to adapt this technique to your situation. If the well is running too frequently, you may have a leak.

When my horse bend a hydrant, the rod path is shortened which prevents full closure of the drop valve. Sometimes you can adjust the rod clamp to push a bit more length down there and it may seal until you dig it up.

Last time I dug one up, I shoveled the hole out a little too narrow. While reaching down to insert the plastic pipe up to the nipple with a heat gun and a screwdriver in hand, I slipped down into the hole head first and could not get out by myself. The barking dogs alerted my neighbor who yanked me out. Sooo, be careful !

 

[MF1652]

Thanks for the responses.

@zzvyb6, Dang! Glad you were rescued!

 

[Joe11]

Last time I dug one up, I shoveled the hole out a little too narrow. While reaching down to insert the plastic pipe up to the nipple with a heat gun and a screwdriver in hand, I slipped down into the hole head first and could not get out by myself. The barking dogs alerted my neighbor who yanked me out. Sooo, be careful !

That is rough!

 

[marimus]

That is rough!

An embarrassing way to meet your end, glad you're still with us.

 

[heehaw]

if you have to dig it out, fill it back in with sand...then the next time it won't be so hard to dig...every hole i have had to dig in the last 10 years have been refilled with sand..it sure has made going back to a couple repairs a lot easier to deal with.
heehaw

 

[Adirondaks]

As a water plant operator many years ago i would use a mechanics stethascope type listining device to hear the water leak. Sometimes very load and easy, put the rod directly on the hydrant, or I would just put my ear on it. Some times works. We did not meter our customers.