Pressure & Supply
Main water line repair and replacement
The main water line (service line) runs from the utility's meter or curb stop to your house, and in most places the homeowner owns that section. When it leaks, you'll often see a wet spot in the yard, low pressure or a spinning meter. A plumber locates the leak, digs or bores to it, and repairs or replaces the line.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- Licensed local plumbers
- Quote before work
Service lines in older homes may be galvanized, copper or, in many pre-1950s neighborhoods, lead. Newer ones are usually copper, PEX or polyethylene. Leaks show up as a soggy patch in the yard, a bill spike or low pressure.
In cold climates the line must be buried below the frost line, often several feet deep, which makes digging bigger. Rock, hardpan such as Southwest caliche, and driveways over the line can also slow the job, and trenchless boring is often used to avoid them. Many utilities are now replacing lead service lines and may cover part of the cost.
Main water line at a glance
- You own
- Meter to house
- Common challenges
- Frost depth, rock and hardscape
- Before digging
- Call 811 for a utility locate
Signs you need main water line
- A wet patch between the meter and the house
- Meter spins with everything off
- Low pressure throughout the home
- Muddy or discolored water after work on the street
How the plumber handles it
- 1
Locate
The plumber confirms the leak at the meter and traces the line.
- 2
Excavate
They dig or bore to the line, after calling 811 to have buried utilities marked.
- 3
Repair or replace
The leaking section is repaired, or the line is replaced if it's old or failing.
- 4
Restore
The line is pressure-tested, then backfilled and the landscaping restored as agreed.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on what the plumber finds, so the plumber quotes on site. These are the main factors:
- Line length from meter to house
- Burial depth (frost line) and soil or rock
- Hardscape or driveway over the line
- Repair vs. full replacement
- Lead line replacement programs that share the cost
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the water line to my house?
In most places the utility owns the main and the line up to the meter or curb stop, and the homeowner owns the line from there to the house. Rules vary, so check with your water provider.
How do I know if I have a lead service line?
Scratch the pipe where it enters the house: lead is dull gray, soft and scratches to a shiny silver, and a magnet won't stick. Many utilities now publish service line inventories you can search by address.
Where to get main water line
By state: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Need main water line?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.