Main Water Line Repair and Replacement

Signs your main water line is leaking

Because the main line runs underground, a leak can go unnoticed for a long time. The clues show up inside the house and in the yard. Falling water pressure, a water bill that jumps with no change in how you live, or a patch of lawn that stays soggy in dry weather are all worth checking.

A simple test is to turn off every fixture and appliance, then look at your water meter. If the dial or the leak indicator keeps moving, water is going somewhere. That does not prove the main line is the culprit, but it narrows the search.

• Low water pressure throughout the house
• A water bill that rises without a reason
• The meter keeps moving with all water off
• Wet, soft or unusually green ground along the path of the line
• Sound of running water when nothing is on
• Muddy or discolored water from the tap

Where the line runs and what shuts it off

The main water line starts at the connection near the street, runs underground to your property and enters the house, usually through a basement wall, crawl space or utility room. Near that entry point is the main shutoff valve, and knowing where it is saves a great deal of damage when something fails.

Responsibility for the line is split between you and the city. The utility generally maintains the portion up to the meter, and the homeowner is generally responsible for the pipe from the meter to the house. A technician can help you work out which section is yours before any digging starts.

Repair or replace the main line

If the leak is in one spot and the rest of the pipe is in good condition, a repair of the damaged section can be the sensible answer. If the line is old, corroded or has failed more than once, replacing the whole run is often the better use of money, since you avoid digging the same trench again.

The right choice depends on what the pipe is made of, how long the run is and what is in the way: driveways, landscaping, sidewalks and other utilities. Ask to see the damaged section and to hear the reasoning for each option, so you decide on facts rather than pressure.

1. A technician checks pressure, looks at the meter and locates the likely problem area.
2. The scope is agreed, including whether the work is a repair or a full replacement.
3. The permit is arranged where the work calls for one.
4. Water is shut off, the damaged line is exposed and the repair or new pipe is installed.
5. The line is pressure tested and checked for leaks before it is covered.
6. Water is restored and the work area is backfilled.

Permits, inspections and planning around your yard

Work on a main water line generally needs a permit, and the city inspects it. Rocket can pull the permit for main line repair and replacement, and the inspection is part of how the job gets signed off. Requirements vary by city, so ask what your address will need.

Because the work involves digging, plan for the yard. Ask where the trench will run, what will be disturbed and who restores landscaping, concrete or asphalt afterward. Locating buried utilities before digging is part of doing the job safely.

Why call Rocket for a main water line

Rocket is a locally owned West Jordan team of Bill and Kyle Bashford. If you suspect a problem with the line, the first step is a call or text about what you are seeing.