If you have a water main line that needs repair, please call us at 678-439-9540 or go to the following page: HERE

Are you looking for answers about your water main line?

Imagine you could solve all your water line problems today, at the most affordable price and highest quality.

Then, later tonight, you can relax in bed and not worry about whether you broke the law or contaminated the water supply.

Does that sound like a pipe dream? (Yes, pun intended)

Right now, you’re at the end of your rope!

  • Worried about the cost?
  • Not sure what to do?
  • Is it your responsibility?
  • You assume it will cost a lot of money
  • You want to repair it yourself to save $$$

Don’t worry. You’ve come to the right place.

This post is the one-stop-shop for ALL your water line problems.

What’s the best part? All you have to do is scroll and read, for free!

This article will cover important topics:

Impact of Water Line Leaks

Plumbing related leaks are more serious than you realize. They’re expensive, bad for the environment and they are everywhere!

Did you know Atlanta has the second-highest water rates in the country? There are two reasons for this: many pipes are almost 100 years old and more than 10 billion gallons of water are wasted each year. (1)  

20% to 35% of all residential homes have water leaks related to toilets. Toilets are often undetected because they are a silent source of water loss. (2

If a toilet can leak as much as 300 gallons a day, imagine how much a water main line leak will waste. A typical home will leak as much as 2,000 to 20,000 gallons of water a year. (3)

Depending on which Georgia County you live in, you are impacting specific limited resources.

If you live in Gwinnett County, then your water is coming from Sidney Lanier Lake.

North Fulton County, South Fulton County and Dekalb County are using the water from the Chattahoochee River. 

These two natural resources are managed with the coordinated efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Atlanta Regional Commission and the Department of Natural Resources.(4)

It’s important to your personal budget, community, and your local natural resources that water leaks are detected and repaired.

infograph of water loss caused by leaks

Image source: United States Environmental Protection Agency

 Please don’t disregard potential signs of a water leak!

Identifying Outside Water Main Leaks

Usually, when you search Google for  “water main line”, it’s because a public water service line has broken and disrupted traffic. While gushing water flooding the street is an obvious sign of a problem, a broken home water line is less obvious. 

You might notice a change in your water bill, but you don’t want to wait for that bill! You can contest the increased water bill cost, but that’s more stress.

There are two main options for detecting leaks in your water main: 

                    1. Have someone else do it…
              1. You can do it yourself.

Option #1 sounds pretty good to me…

Inspection by Plumbing Express

Plumbing Express is the reliable plumbing company serving Atlanta, Georgia. We offer competitive pricing for trenchless water line repair, replacement or installation. Whether you need a new water line for your garden, barn or house, we will give you great value at a fair price.

There are several indicators that you might have an issue with your water main line. Those are listed below; however, Plumbing Express offers a free inspection.

 So, please call us and schedule a time for an inspection. Call 678-439-9540 to schedule your appointment now.

Option #2 for the DIY water leak detection:

We recommend reading the four steps for detecting water leaks that are listed, on Gwinnett County’s website for water services education. You can view those steps by clicking here.

If you prefer video, Alliance for Water Efficiency, has one you can view by clicking here

Is It Your Responsibility or Not?

In most cases, leaks between the meter and the house are the responsibility of the homeowner.

This can be complicated by whether the water meter is on the public right-of-way side of the property line or not.

infograph of property line separating public and private water main line

Image source: Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources

That’s why it’s important to contact the utilities company for your municipality to confirm the location and responsibility of the water lines, water meter and right-of-way property lines.

Should You Do the Repair Yourself?

No matter how talented a DIY-er you are, there are several reasons you do not want to do a water main line repair yourself. 

  • Federal, State and Local Laws
  • Permits
  • Fees
  • Water Contamination
  • Damaging public water service lines

You could contaminate and pollute the water you and your neighbors consume.

Don’t believe us? Here’s what the Alliance for Water Efficiency has to say on the matter:

“The water utility should be contacted before any attempt to repair the water supply pipe. If the utility deems the leak to be the responsibility of the homeowner, a professional plumber should perform all repair work.  This repair should never be attempted by a homeowner.” (5)

How Much Does It Cost to Install, Repair or Replace the Water Main Line?

These are general costs associated with different aspects of the repair. 

For specific details related to costs from Plumbing Express, please visit our page here.

Regardless if you do the repair yourself or hire a professional plumber, the prices will fluctuate based on the following:

  • Location of the leak
    • The harder to access, then the higher the price
    • Depth of pipe
    • Obstructions to pipe
  • Length of the pipe
    • More material means more cost
    • Trenchless repair is cheaper
    • Digging is more expensive
    • If the pipe is long, then digging is required
  • Local Permit fees
    • Application fee
    • Inspection fee
    • Re-inspection fees
    • Percentage of total construction cost
    • Violation fee (DIYs take note)
  • Labor / Time