How to Recognize When Your Main Water Line Needs Repair
Signs of a leaking water main can range from obvious to subtle. Here are some indicators to watch for:
- Increased water bill: An unexplained spike in your monthly water bill is often one of the biggest indicators of an underground leak.
- Puddles or soggy areas on your property: Significant leaks in the water line can cause pooling in your yard or garden. If you notice unusually damp areas without an obvious cause, it’s time to contact a plumber.
- Potentially reduced water pressure: A sudden drop in water pressure throughout the home (rather than just one faucet) may signal a water main issue, though municipal factors could also be involved. If in doubt, it’s best to call in professionals.
While Plumbing Express offer both spot repairs and trenchless main line replacement, a full water line replacement is sometimes needed due to deterioration. We highly recommend installing a new main water line when this happens. Although it’s a significant job, our skilled plumbers are fully equipped to handle it and we offer competitive pricing for trenchless water line repair, replacement or installation.
Call us at (678) 439-9540 for professional main water line repair & replacement services you can count on. One of our friendly plumbers will be glad repair or replace your main water line.
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Rod did an excellent job fixing my leaking shower faucet and replacing my kitchen faucet. He was on time, professional, and did a great job explaining the process, pricing, and scheduling.
Both Anthony and Dave were fantastic in helping us with our tankless water heater. There was great communication throughout the process, they were timely, and politely answered our many questions. Should the occasion arise in the future, we would absolutely reach out to Plumbing Express again!
The Plumbing Express folks fixed a leaking drain line inside a wall for me a few weeks ago and only when we went to replace the Sheetrock did we realize that the repair sleeves were too wide to fit the new sheetrock. I called PE and Daniel came out within an hour to troubleshoot and found the right fix for us in less than an hour, so my Sheetrock contractor could get straight back to work. Appreciate how fast and effective Daniel was helping get my project back on track.
This was a good experience. Jason did a great job at explaining what the problem was and how he was going to fix it. I am no longer having the issue and that is much appreciated. Thanks
Mr. Rod was naturally kind and considerate, and as a professional, he patiently explained everything step by step. Meeting him was a special experience. It’s a blessing to have Plumbing Express in our neighborhood. Thank you.
I am so glad I know about Plumbing Express. I hired them several years ago for a major plumbing job and they’ve been my go-it company ever since. This time, I needed them to find the source of excessive water consumption reported by my utility. Dave T came out, asked me a few questions and quickly found the problem within about 10 minutes. (Since it turned out to be with the sprinkler system, I’ll have them do the repair.) The diagnostic fee was completely reasonable. I will not hesitate to call Plumbing Express again if I have any troubles in the future.
Ed came at the appointed time and was very interested to find the problem with moisture in my slab. He offered suggestions to us to possibly handle the situation after determining there was no water leak. Very professional.
Daniel came out right away and fixed the problem. Plumbing express installed our hot water heater and have been very responsive with any questions or issues we have had.
Jason did great! Assessed the issue/solution quickly and then took care of it! Very satisfied with the call. Knowledgeable and friendly too
Daniel Edwards, was prompt & handled my problem professionally & expediently. He is very knowledgeable & helpful and answered all my questions . Thank you
Daniel came to inspect the problem with my jacuzzi tub. He quickly determined what repairs were required and discussed a couple of options for me to consider. He was very professional and knowledgeable. The repair is going to be very costly. I hope he is a good plumber and someone that you can trust to do an outstanding job. I appreciate Shegra listening to my concerns and recommending Daniel to come out to inspect my problem. I have had outstanding customer service from Plumbing Express. Thank you, Sheila
Why Choose Plumbing Express?
Our plumbers help protect the health and comfort of our clients when hot water supplies are out, piping systems deteriorate, and drains don’t work.
We offer a direct road to appropriate, complete solutions through excellent home plumbing in the Metro Atlanta area. Thorough estimates are available during our regular business hours and all consultations, inspections, repairs and installations are fulfilled with friendly service.
Working with us means you are served by a locally owned company and by a knowledgeable, dedicated staff whom are passionate about plumbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the potential impacts 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.
Please don’t disregard potential signs of a water leak!
- How to identify 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:
- Have someone else do it…
- You can do it yourself.
Option 1
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. Plumbing Express offers a free inspection.
Option 2
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 a main water line leak 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.
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.
Possible locations of water main repair. Image source: Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources
- Can I do a water main line repair myself?
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?
The average cost of a water main repair in Atlanta:
- Low: $650
- Average: $850
- High: $1,000
The average cost of a water main replacement in Atlanta:
- Low: $2,200
- Average: $3,400
- High: $4,000
You can cross reference the above prices from a non-bias 3rd party source at Home Guide’s plumbing estimates.
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