A water main leak is not the everyday occurrence. In fact, the average homeowner will experience a water line leak once in a lifetime. There are several ways that you may become aware of an underground water main leak however, the cause of the leak is not always easy to determine. The three most common reasons for a water line leak are natural wear and tear, a previous repair on the water line and experiencing a change in temperature.
The wear and tear of your water lines is inevitable and occurs as a result of age. It is common for an old lead water line to corrode over its lifespan which will result in a pitting, or corrosion of the water pipe.
removing corroded water line |
Source of the leak |
If you have had a previous repair on the water line, it is common that you will experience another leak. The ideal way to install a new water line is with one length of copper, you do not want any separations in the pipe from the city main, to inside your home. A separation in the pipe will only make your pipe more susceptible to another leak in the future. In some scenarios, there may be no option but to use a fitting to connect two pieces of copper however, it is suggested to avoid doing so when possible.
A change in temperature tends to impact the soil surrounding an underground water line. Air temperature below freezing causes the ground to freeze, which leads to additional stress on a water pipe. The same goes when temperatures rise, the ground will shift, once again leading to cracked or burst water pipes.
The most common factors in becoming aware of a leak
It may take weeks and sometimes months before a homeowner becomes aware that their water line is leaking. In many cases a leak has occurred below ground level and takes time before actually showing up on the surface. The first signs of a water line leak are experiencing water coming through the foundation wall, showing up on the sidewalk or in the roadway. If a water main leak shows up on public property, it is likely that a neighbor will contact the DEP to investigate the source of the leak. Another common factor is a loss in water pressure. If there is a disturbance in the water line somewhere from the street to inside your house, there is a possibility that you may experience a loss of water pressure. Another common sign of a water main break is if the water is disturbing a neighbor. In many cases a neighbor may have water coming into their basement, and naturally assume they have a burst pipe. It is only when the pipe is being replaced that they become aware of a neighboring house leaking into their basement.
Water main leak on sidewalk |
The leak underground |
How to locate an underground water main leak
The first option is to dig random holes and try to locate the exact location of the leaking pipe. This method is never suggested as it may end up taking more time to locate the leak. This method may also result in a greater expense, as opposed to replacing the entire water line form the start. If you are lucky enough to have your contractor locate the water line leak, the pipe will now have to be repaired by making a separation in the pipe and using fittings to re-attach the new pipe. Repairing a section of the pipe will make you more susceptible to a future leak. The total cost of repairing a pipe at two different dates will most likely end up costing more than if you had replaced the entire pipe in the first place.
Digging to locate leak |
Sonoscope |
The second option is to use a sonoscope and listen to the pipe. If you listen to your water main while there is no running water in the house, the pipe should be completely silent. If you listen to the pipe and hear or feel a vibration on the line, this is a strong indication that the water main is leaking. The only guaranteed way to determine that the pipe is leaking would be to dig open the roadway and turn the water off from the city pipe. If the pipe stops making noise at this point, you know that your water main is leaking.
Watch our step-by-step video on a water line replacement above.
