Soggy or muddy spots in your yard, or a foul smell and a patch of vividly green grass, may indicate a leak underground. Here’s how to find the source of a water leak in your front yard.
Sewer Line Leaks
You’ll usually notice a sewer line leak due to a foul stench in the yard. There might be an extra green patch of grass or a soggy spot in your yard.
One way to check for a sewer line leak is to get some food coloring or T-shirt dye and pour a few ounces into your toilet. Flush three times, then wait at least 30 minutes. Look at the soggy area in the yard. If you see the dye coming up, there’s a leak. Contact a licensed plumber for a camera inspection of your sewer line and options for repair or replacement.
Water Service Pipe Leak
A soaring water bill when your water use in the home hasn’t increased, plus wet spots in the yard, may indicate a leak in your main water service pipe.
To check for the source of water leaks in your front yard, turn off the water supply to your house and make sure no one inside is using water—no toilets flushing, no faucets being used, no dishwasher or washing machine working—and turn off the icemaker on the fridge.
Your main water shut-off valve is usually in the basement, along an exterior wall, where the water service pipe enters the home. Be gentle, and slowly turn the valve to avoid any damage. If the valve appears to be corroded, consult with a licensed master plumber to avoid the valve getting stuck in the closed position, or springing a leak.
When all the water inside of the house is off, listen closely to the pipe (a plumber would use a sonoscope). Water should be sitting still in the pipes, and they should be completely silent. If you listen to the pipe and hear a low noise or feel a vibration, this indicates that your water main is leaking.
It may not make financial sense to locate the exact point where your pipe is leaking, because this may take more time and effort than replacing the entire water supply pipe. Replacing the pipe to avoid future leaks will cost less over time than making multiple smaller repairs on your water line.
Irrigation System Leaks
These appear as puddles around sprinkler heads, or water spurting up between sprinkler heads. Turn off the house’s water and inspect the meter just as you would do for leaks in the water service line. Another way to check an irrigation system is to turn on sprinklers in a cycle, and check for little geysers erupting in your yard.
Water and sewer line leaks can cause sinkholes and damage to your home. Contact a licensed sewer and water main company if you suspect a leak. Addressing these leaks immediately is imperative to protect your property and your purse.
