What the others said.
Unless there is a hidden leak in a wall, or underground, you should be able
to find some cause.
Unlikely that an underground/in the wall leak would start and stop, altho it
is possible.
I have a bunch of individual line shutoff valves, you could mebbe narrow the
problem that way.
Be careful of the hot water heater, tho, as I don't know if they are
water-level protected.
Most times it seems you can hear water flow. HF, auto stores have
"mechanics' stethoscopes", real cheap, that might help you in your own
sleuthing.
A real mystery!
Post back w/ the resolution!
--
------
Mr. P.V.'d (formerly Droll Troll), Yonkers, NY

Stop Corruption in Congress & Send the Ultimate Message:
Absolutely Vote, but NOT for a Democrat or a Republican.
Ending Corruption in Congress is the *Single Best Way*
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The Solution is so simple--and inexpensive!

entropic3.14decay at optonline2.718 dot net; remove pi and e to reply--ie,
all d'numbuhs

"DAVID ALEXANDER" wrote in message
...
Last week, when I got my water bill, it was a whopping $185.00. On
checking my water meter, it was spinning at the rate of about 3 gallons
per minute. I checked for anything leaking in the house and didn't find
anything. The same for the outside faucets. There's no evidence of water
leaks outside, no damp spots, etc.

My plumber came out and checked everything, but couldn't come up with
anything. I called the city water folks and one of them came out and
looked all around, even using a listening device they have. He couldn't
find anything, either, although he said the sounds were louder on the end
of the house where the septic tank and an outside faucet are located.

I haven't been able to locate the valve next to the house that turns off
all of the water, so I went home after the city water guy left, determined
to dig up my yard if needed. I went to turn off the water so we wouldn't
waste any more, and found that the meter was no longer running! I
couldn't believe it.

I called the city guy and told him that the meter had stopped, and he
could hardly believe it. We both know a leak doesn't plug itself. He had
no suggestions. I was just grateful that it had stopped.

I kept an eye on the meter for a couple of hours and it didn't budge.
However, a few hours later, just before I went to bed, I decided to check
it again and, sure enough, it was running again for no reason.

Any suggestions or analysis would be appreciated.

David Alexander