Emergencies and leaks
Main water line repair and replacement
The water service line runs underground from the meter or curb stop to your house, and in most places the property owner is responsible for it. A leaking line is either spot repaired by digging at the leak or replaced end to end, often with trenchless methods that need only two small pits.
- Independent licensed local plumbers
- The plumber gives you a price before work starts
- Free referral, no obligation
A service line leak hides underground, so the clues are indirect: a water bill that climbs, a meter that keeps moving when the house valve is shut, low pressure at every fixture, or a patch of lawn that is wet or unusually green in dry weather. Shutting the valve where the line enters the house is the key test. If the meter still moves, the leak is between the meter and the house, and leak detection can pin down where.
Whether to repair or replace depends on what the pipe is made of. A single break in newer copper or polyethylene is worth a spot repair. Galvanized steel that has rusted through once will do it again, and a lead service line should be replaced in full rather than patched, because partial replacement can disturb the pipe and temporarily raise lead levels. Many cities run lead service line replacement programs, so check with your water utility before paying for one yourself.
Water Line Repair and Replacement at a glance
- Service
- Water Line Repair and Replacement
- Category
- Emergencies and leaks
- Availability
- Scheduled and same-day visits, depending on local availability
- Service area
- Requests accepted from all 50 states and Washington, DC; availability depends on the pros near your ZIP code
- Also called
- water service line repair, main water line replacement, water main repair
- Owned by
- Usually the property owner, from the meter or curb stop to the house
- Cost
- Quoted on site by the pro before work starts; see cost factors below
Signs you need water line repair and replacement
- The meter moves with the house shutoff valve closed
- A soggy, sunken or unusually green strip of yard
- Low water pressure at every fixture
- A water bill that jumps without more use
- Water seeping where the line enters the foundation
What the pro does, step by step
- 1
Confirm and locate
A meter test confirms the leak is on the service line, and acoustic equipment locates it along the run.
- 2
Mark utilities
Buried utilities are marked through 811 before any digging.
- 3
Repair or replace
The plumber digs at the leak for a spot repair, or replaces the whole line by trenching, pipe bursting or pulling new pipe through.
- 4
Test and restore
The line is pressure tested and inspected where required, and the trench or pits are backfilled.
What affects the cost of water line repair and replacement
Prices vary by market and job. The pro gives you a price before starting; these factors drive it.
- Length and depth of the line (deeper in cold climates)
- Spot repair versus full replacement
- Trenchless versus open trench
- Driveways, sidewalks, trees and landscaping in the path
- Permits and any work required at the meter or curb stop
What you can safely do, and when to stop
Safe to do yourself
- Close the house shutoff and watch the meter to confirm where the leak is
- Check the yard between the meter and the house for wet spots
- Ask your water utility what pipe material is on record for your address
- Ask the utility about leak adjustments on your bill
Stop and call a pro
- Any digging before utilities are marked (call 811)
- Working on the meter or curb stop, which belong to the utility
- Cutting or disturbing a lead service line
- Water entering the foundation or undermining a driveway
Water Line Repair and Replacement FAQ
Who is responsible for the water line from the street to the house?
In most places the property owner is responsible for the service line from the meter or curb stop to the house, and the utility is responsible for the main and the meter. The exact dividing point varies, so confirm with your water utility.
How do I know if my main water line is leaking?
Close the shutoff valve where the line enters the house and watch the water meter. If it keeps moving, water is escaping between the meter and the house. Wet ground, low pressure and a rising bill are supporting signs.
Can a water line be replaced without digging up the yard?
Often, yes. Trenchless methods pull a new pipe through or alongside the old one from a pit at each end. They depend on soil, depth and what is in the way, so the plumber will confirm on site.
Should a lead service line be repaired or replaced?
Replaced in full. Patching or partially replacing a lead line can disturb it and raise lead levels in the water for a time. Ask your water utility whether it has a replacement program that covers your address.
Sources
- Lead service lines, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Call 811 before you dig, Common Ground Alliance
Water Line Repair and Replacement by location
Local water, housing and permit rules change what this job involves. Find local conditions for your area:
Somewhere else? Browse plumbing conditions in all 50 states.
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Get water line repair and replacement help now
Call (888) 555-0142 to reach an available local pro, or request service online.