Expert Guide for Homeowners

35 years of experience

Is your water meter giving you trouble? Most Knoxville homeowners don’t realize their water meters only last 15 to 20 years before needing replacement! That unexpected water bill increase might not be from extra usage – it could be your aging meter causing the problem.

Did you know your water meter gets less accurate as it ages? The American Water Works Association allows meters an error rate of 1.5%, meaning they must read between 98.5% and 101.5% of your actual water usage. Here’s something interesting – older meters usually UNDER-report your water consumption! This means you might have artificially lower bills until replacement time.

We recommend testing your water meter annually, especially during summer when your household water usage peaks. This regular check helps find potential leaks and ensures your billing stays accurate. First Utility District crews handle all routine maintenance and repairs across Knoxville, including meter readings and setting up new water meters for our customers.

Call Sanders Today to get your water meter checked!

DO YOU HAVE THESE WATER METER PROBLEMS?

Is your water bill suddenly sky-high for no reason? That’s the first warning sign your water meter might be failing! While a spike in your bill could mean you have a leak, sometimes it’s the meter itself causing all your troubles. Here in Knoxville, water meters get less accurate as they age – costing you money you shouldn’t be spending!

Watch for these warning signs:

• Unexpected bill increases when your water usage hasn’t changed
• Meter readings that jump all over the place
• Water meter that keeps running even when every faucet is OFF
• Low water pressure throughout your home
• Strange noises coming from the meter itself
• Can’t shut off your water completely

Before you pick up the phone for professional help, try these two simple tests to see if your meter is really the problem. First, do a quick leak test: turn off ALL water in your home (don’t forget those ice makers!), then check your meter. Wait about 15 minutes and check again. Any movement means you’ve got a leak somewhere.

No leak found but still suspicious? Try the bucket test! With all water off, write down your meter reading, then fill a container you know the size of (like a 5-gallon bucket). The difference in your meter reading should match how much water you used. If it’s off by more than 1.5%, your meter probably isn’t reading right.

Ignoring these signs can be EXPENSIVE! A faulty meter might be silently adding dollars to your bill month after month. On the flip side, older meters sometimes undercount, meaning a replacement could actually make your bill go up – a nasty surprise if you’re not ready for it!

Good news is the local water company throughout Knoxville will replace bad meters at no cost to you. But watch out – they might charge you for inspection if the meter turns out to be working correctly. To avoid unnecessary expenses and make sure your billing stays accurate, call for professional evaluation whenever you notice these warning signs.

Don’t keep paying for water you haven’t used! Call Sanders at (865) 204-0502 today and get your water meter situation checked by our experts!

Do These Simple At-Home Tests Before Calling Us!

Want to save yourself time and money? Before you call for professional water meter replacement, try these quick tests at home. These simple checks could save you hundreds in unnecessary service calls!

Do any of these sound familiar?

• Mysterious high water bills each month
• Water meter that never seems to stop running
• Concerns about paying for water you haven’t used

The Bucket Test – Check Your Meter’s Accuracy Fast

One of the most reliable ways to see if your meter’s telling the truth is the bucket test. Here’s how Sanders experts recommend doing it:

1. 1. Make sure NO water is running anywhere in your home
   2. Write down the exact reading on your meter
   3. Fill a 5-gallon bucket completely
   4. Check your meter again

For meters measuring in cubic feet, filling the bucket three times (15 gallons) should register exactly 2 cubic feet. If measuring in gallons, five gallons should equal 0.66 cubic feet.

The difference between your first and final readings should match the volume used. If the discrepancy is more than 1.5%, your meter likely isn’t giving you accurate readings!

Find Those Hidden Leaks

Think leaks might be causing your high bills? Here’s a simple test:

• Turn off ALL water-using appliances and fixtures in your house
• Check your meter’s flow indicator (usually a small triangle or dial)
• If it’s still moving when no water is being used, you’ve got a leak!

For toilet leaks, try this: put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 10-20 minutes without flushing. Color showing up in the bowl? You’ve found a toilet leak that could waste up to 800 cubic feet of water every day!

Checking your water pressure can also reveal problems. Pressure should stay between 40-60 PSI. Readings outside this range often mean you’ve got issues that need fixing.

These simple tests can save you from an unnecessary service call. But if you’ve tried them all and still suspect meter problems, it’s time for professional help.

Call Sanders at (865) 204-0502 for expert water meter replacement in Knoxville!

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH YOUR WATER METER REPLACEMENT

Wondering what happens during a water meter replacement? Sanders Plumbing knows the process inside and out, and we’re here to make it simple for you!

When we replace your water meter in Knoxville, you’ll experience a brief 15-30 minute interruption to your water service. Our friendly technicians will knock on your door before starting the work – but don’t worry if you can’t be home. We can still get the job done!

The replacement process is QUICK and SIMPLE:

• We temporarily shut off your water
• Remove the old, inaccurate meter
• Install your brand new meter
• Test everything to make sure it works perfectly

Here’s the BEST news – there’s typically NO COST to you for standard water meter replacements! This maintenance is part of normal utility operations and covered by your regular service fees.

Our technicians always wear proper identification and arrive in vehicles with our company logo. If someone claiming to be a meter technician asks to enter your home or doesn’t have proper ID, call us immediately!

After installation, we’ll show you how to access your new online portal where you can track your water usage in real-time. These modern meters let you monitor consumption by the hour and set up alerts for unusual usage patterns.

Got questions about your water meter replacement? Call Sanders Plumbing today at (865) 204-0502 – we’re here to help!

WATER METER REPLACEMENT IN KNOXVILLE: WHAT TO EXPECT

Wondering what happens during a water meter replacement? Knowing what to expect makes the whole process easier for you and your family. Sanders Plumbing is here to help you understand exactly what will happen!

GET MODERN WATER METERS FOR BETTER BILLING AND LEAK DETECTION

Why wait for surprise bills or hidden leaks? Modern water meters give you precise measurement and real peace of mind.

New advanced water meters offer these great benefits:

• No more meter readers needing access to your property
• Faster response when outages happen
• See your water usage in real-time to catch leaks quickly
• Your bill shows exactly what you use – no more guessing!

Did you know Knoxville is getting a major water meter upgrade? Throughout 2025, both KUB and West Knox Utility District are swapping out older meters that have reached the end of their 15-18 year battery life.

The replacement process is QUICK and SIMPLE! Your water will only be off for about 15-30 minutes. The technicians will knock on your door before starting, but you don’t even need to be home. They’ll shut off your water temporarily, take out the old meter, put in the new one, and test everything works perfectly.

Here’s great news for your wallet – there’s typically NO COST to you for standard water meter replacements! This maintenance is part of your regular utility operations and covered by your normal service fees.

For your safety, always check that technicians have proper ID badges and company-logo clothing. Their vehicles should display official utility logos too. If someone claiming to be a meter technician asks to enter your home or doesn’t have proper ID, call the utility company right away!

After installation, you’ll get information about an online portal where you can track your water usage in real-time. This fantastic new technology lets you see consumption by the hour and set up alerts for unusual patterns.

Have questions about water meter replacement in Knoxville? Think your current meter might have issues? Don’t wait – call Sanders Plumbing at (865) 204-0502 for professional assessment and service you can count on!