Water Main Replacement

Why Repipe?® Avoid the mess and fix pipes in-place with ePIPE. Protect your property from slab leaks, corrosion and contaminants from leaching into your water. In many cases, your water will be back on the same day.

What is a water main replacement?

Water main line replacement can be a nightmare. Your yard may be torn up, sections of walls may need to be cut out and replaced after the plumbing repair is complete, and cleanup can be a big job. And if the leak is under a slab, that can be an even bigger issue. Plumbing repairs may mean tearing up your flooring to get to the problem.

Water main line replacement services and the aftermath can be pricey. The cost of replacing a broken or corroded water main runs an average of about $3,000 – $10,000, according to Fixr, and takes one to three days. 

In addition to the plumbing system repair bill, you may need to fix or replace flooring, tile, drywall, cracks in the slab, your landscaping, and holes in the outside wall of your home.

If this sounds like a big messy job, it is.

Fortunately, if you catch the leak early enough, you may be able to avoid water line replacement with our ePIPE restoration process and avoid more invasive and destructive repairs. Plus, we’ll be in and out in just a few hours.

It is inevitable that your plumbing fixtures or your piping system will fail over time. These failures can be a disruption to your home life. That’s where we come in! Let us help you stop the leak, repair your issue, and spare your home from any further damage. Our technicians will walk you through every step of the process and consult with you on issues they find or that they may recommend for preventative measures.

How the waterline replacement process works

The process varies depending on where the leak is located. This is not a job we’d recommend for an inexperienced DIY. It could go very wrong.

The first step is to locate the leak.

Once the plumber finds the leak, they turn off the water supply at the source. It will remain off until the job is completed.

With the water line mapped out, a trench will be dug to expose the water line. They cut the damaged pipe at both ends and attach a new pipe in its place. The water flow is restored to check for leaks or problems. Finally, they fill in the trench. 

Trenchless water main replacement, on the other hand, is a relatively new process that’s a bit different. In a trenchless procedure, plumbers dig only two holes at each end of the pipe. After cutting the pipe at each end, they pull the old pipe out and make a hole for a new pipe using cables and a powerful winch. The pipe is then pulled into place by cables as the hole is created, leaving most of your front yard intact.

For leaks under a slab, more invasive procedures may be required.

Our epoxy solutions and service is an alternative to both methods. It is minimally invasive with little to no digging or cutting into walls, floors, ceilings, or foundations. It’s fast, clean, and leaves you with no home repair bills or messes to clean up.

5 signs of needing a water main replacement

It’s important to deal with water line leaks as quickly as possible to minimize the damage. In most cases, water leaks leave signs that are easy to spot if you’re looking for them. Here are 5 of the most common water line leak signals.

1. Soft Spots and an Extra Green Lawn: If the leak is outside, the first sign may be an extra green spot on the lawn. If you have an area of grass that is especially lush and a different color, it could indicate that the grass is getting more water. If the ground feels soft and mushy, it could indicate a major leak or a small leak that’s been running for a long time.
2. Check Your Water Meter: Your water main leak could be under the slab, where it’s much harder to detect and more likely to cause significant damage. One way to check is to turn off the water to the house and look at the water meter. If the water is off to the house or building and the dial is spinning, or the electronic readout is ticking up, it’s a good indication that you need a water line repair service.
3. The Sniff Test: It’s easy to get used to a smell and not notice it, so it’s crucial to do an active sniff test. Water leaks will cause a musty or moldy smell that can be anywhere from subtle to overpowering. If you have a smell you can’t get rid of, you may have a water leak.
4. Discoloration, Warping, or Sagging: The signs of water damage inside your home may appear anywhere. You may see warped floorboards, discolored walls, or a warped or sagging ceiling. Be sure to call for plumbing services immediately if you think you need pipe repair. The issue could be with the water main line itself or the supply lines throughout the house.
5. Low Water Pressure: Leaky pipes often cause a noticeable drop in water pressure from your faucets. Unless significant water usage is happening, like a hose is running outside or a washing machine is in the filling cycle, low water pressure could indicate plumbing problems.

Can a Water Line Leak Cause Permanent Damage?

When an underground water line breaks, you may not know right away. A small amount of water can leak into the ground for weeks, eventually saturating your front yard. You may not notice until your lawn becomes squishy or a huge water bill arrives. You could have cracks in the slab under the house or contaminating water coming from your taps by that time. If the water leak reaches the inside of your home, you’ll likely see discolorations on the walls, but the real damage is something you can’t see. Inside the wall, water damage could result in significant structural damage. The foundation wood that holds your walls up and supports your roof can swell and warp.  One of the most common water leak issues is a threat to your health: mold.  Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp, dark places. When it grows inside your walls, mold produces spores that circulate in the air inside your home. If they breathe in mold spores, your family can experience mild to severe health issues ranging from coughing and sneezing to difficulty breathing. For people with asthma or lung problems, exposure to mold can be very dangerous.   Water damage can also affect the price of your home, should you choose to sell. Tell-tale signs of even past leaks can drive down your property value and kill sales. Water damage is not something buyers want to see.   According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 1 in 50 insured homes makes a property damage claim caused by water damage or freezing each year. The average cost of those claims is $10,849. Most water damage, of course, is much less severe, and a claim might never be made. Many homeowners will hire a plumber to solve any plumbing issues right away or DIY minor fixes like drywall repair.

Repair or Replace Your Water Line Pipes with ePIPE

Water line pipes get old and are weakened by water chemistry, tree roots, and other destructive issues. Piping systems can last a long time, but when they are compromised, they can cause a tremendous amount of damage and put your family and wallet at risk.

Old pipes may also prove to be health hazards. Older homes may still have lead pipes, which were once common. Over time, lead will leach into your drinking water, exposing your family.

Our ePIPE LeadSmartTM Lead Protection Plan gives you peace of mind; you can be sure your water is safe.

By taking proactive action to protect or replace your pipes, you can save substantial repair costs and emergency repair hassles in the future. 

Call us today to restore your pipes and avoid future complications!