Signs of a broken or leaking water service line
- A soggy, muddy patch between the meter and the house that doesn't dry out, even in dry weather
- Water bubbling up through the lawn or seeping from a bank or retaining wall
- Low water pressure at every fixture at once
- The meter's leak indicator moving with the house shutoff valve closed
- A sudden, large jump in the water bill
- Rusty or cloudy water at every faucet, on older galvanized lines
- The sound of running water near the meter box
Why main water lines fail
- Material age. Galvanized steel service lines rust from the inside. Polybutylene service lines, often blue or gray plastic in homes from the late 1970s to mid 1990s, crack at fittings.
- Fitting failure at the meter or where the line enters the house, especially on lines with older compression or crimp fittings.
- Shallow burial that leaves the line exposed to freezing, roots or digging.
- Ground settlement and rocks pressing against the pipe in backfilled trenches.
- Damage from digging for fences, irrigation, landscaping or utility work.
- High water pressure that stresses fittings throughout the system.
How a water line is repaired or replaced
Locating the leak
The plumber confirms the leak is in the service line with a meter test, then finds the break by the wet ground, by listening equipment, or by tracing the pipe. Sometimes a single wet spot is directly over the break; on sloped lots, water can travel downhill along the pipe and surface some distance away.
Spot repair
For a single break in an otherwise sound line, the plumber digs down to the pipe, cuts out the damaged section and installs a new piece with proper couplings. The line is pressurized and checked before backfilling.
Full replacement
For galvanized or polybutylene lines, or lines that have leaked more than once, a new line is run from the meter to the house, commonly in PEX or copper. It can be installed in an open trench or, in some yards, pulled through underground with less digging. A new shutoff valve and, where needed, a pressure reducing valve are installed where it enters the house.
Inspection and restoration
Service line replacement typically needs a permit and inspection before the trench is covered. Afterward, the trench is backfilled and the yard graded; grass seed and sod are generally left to the homeowner or landscaper.
Which side of the meter is yours depends on your water provider
Homes around Canton are served by different water systems. The City of Canton draws most of its water from the Etowah River and treats it at its own plant; the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority serves much of the unincorporated county; and the City of Ball Ground supplies its customers from a well. Each utility owns its main and meter, and the property owner is generally responsible for the line from the meter to the house.
That's why the first question when water is surfacing near the street is which side of the meter it's on. A leak at the meter or on the street side is the utility's job, and calling them first saves you a plumbing bill.
A leak on the house side is yours. If you're unsure, shut the house valve and watch the meter: if it still spins, the leak is between the meter and the house.
What affects the cost of water line repair
- Repair or replace. One break costs far less than a new line from the meter.
- Distance. Homes set far back from the street or up a long drive have longer lines.
- Depth, slope and soil. Clay, rock and steep yards slow digging.
- Obstacles. Driveways, walkways, retaining walls and landscaping over the line add work or call for boring under them.
- Entry point. Where the line comes through a foundation or basement wall, and whether a new shutoff or pressure reducing valve is needed there.
- Permit and timing. Permits, inspections and after-hours emergency work.
When a water line leak is an emergency
- Water is flowing out of the ground or washing out soil
- You have no water, or so little the house isn't usable
- Water is entering a basement or crawlspace from the line's entry point
If you can't stop the water at the house shutoff, close the curb stop in the meter box, then call our emergency plumber. A slow leak that only shows on the meter can be scheduled, but it's billed to you for every gallon until it's fixed. If you aren't sure whether the leak is outside, see how hidden leaks are found.
After a new water line is installed
Watch for settling over the trench for a few months and add soil where it sinks. Note your new line's material and route for future digging.
If you have older supply piping inside the house, a new service line can push higher, steadier pressure into it; leaks at old fittings sometimes show up afterward, and repiping may be the next step. For everything else inside the house, Plumbing Guy works as a residential plumber in Canton.
Water line questions
Am I responsible for the water line in my yard?
In most cases the line from the meter to the house belongs to the property owner, and the utility owns the meter and everything on the street side. Confirm with your provider: the City of Canton, Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority, or the City of Ball Ground.
Why do I have low water pressure in the whole house?
Common causes include a leak in the service line, a partly closed main valve, a failing pressure reducing valve, or galvanized pipe clogged with rust. A pressure gauge at an outdoor spigot and a meter test narrow it down.
How deep is a water line buried?
It varies with the age of the home and the terrain. Lines should be buried below frost depth, which is shallow in north Georgia, but older lines are sometimes shallower than current practice. A locator can find the line before any digging.
What pipe is used for a new water service line?
PEX and copper are the most common choices. Both are long-lasting when installed correctly; the choice depends on soil conditions, code and how the line will be routed.