Thousands of people every year in New York City have a leaking main water line that needs to be repaired or replaced. It’s a common problem that typically requires a quick fix, regardless of where your property is located. A leaking main water line can cause washouts and undermines in your yard or the public roadway. Potentially worse, it can pour through your foundation or into your basement.
A lot of roadway water leaks are the responsibility of the city. This is related to city water main breaks, the main line that your service line connects to. However, it would help if you fixed any leaks on or under your property from your service line before they cause damage.
Signs of a Leaking Main Water Line
In some cases, you may be able to see the leak if it is located inside your building, but this is relatively rare. Additionally, a leak has to be fairly serious before you see water gushing up from the ground. Likewise and contrary to popular belief, it also has to be serious before you notice any drop in water pressure. With that having been said, when a main water line to house is leaking, these are not the first signs of a problem.
Typically the first sign of a problem is the sound of running water when no water is being used inside your home. So instead of looking, listen! One of the most obvious signs that you have a water leak somewhere is a slight hissing sound or rumbling sound, which is especially noticeable at night when things are relatively quiet. If your water meter is not running, then water is running outside of your building, a sign of a water line leak.
You may also notice an increase in your water usage, which is a sign of water leaking inside your building. One quick check if you suspect a leak is to look at your water meter. If you are not using the water but the meter is ticking up, you probably have a leak somewhere in your house and should call a plumber to help you find it. In some cases, it can simply be a running toilet. If the meter is not moving, then you might have a leaking main water line.
What If Your Drinking Water Becomes Discolored?
Another sign of a leaking main water line is rust or dirt in your water. Turbidity (dirt or silt) in your water is a sign that there is an issue somewhere. If you experience it, first check to see if the city has reported a broken main in your area. In some cases, this can also be caused by the local water authority doing maintenance, upgrades, or a repair.
Testing For A Water Line Leak
There are ways you can test for a leak if you suspect that the main water line to the house is leaking. If this process seems too complicated, you can call a plumber to do it for you. However, you don’t need specialized listening gear; a screwdriver or other metal object you can place against the pipe will do.
Water leak testing is important because there’s a vast difference between having to fix a leaky pipe inside your home or outside your home. Likewise, misdiagnosing a leak can result in needless and expensive work.
Note that if you can smell sewage, you should call an emergency plumber right away. A sewer line leak can cause health problems such as gastroenteritis or worsening allergy symptoms. It can also cause mold or mildew to develop inside your home, which can cause damage and ongoing health issues. Also, note that sewer leaks can be mistaken for water line leaks and incorrect work orders.
What to Do if You Think You Have a Leaking Main Water Line?
If you suspect a leaking main water line, you should report it by calling 311. Unless you can see the leak, it’s hard to know if a leak causing water discoloration is in the service line to your house (your responsibility) or the main (the city’s responsibility).
The DEP or local water authority can investigate, and involving professionals will result in a faster and more accurate assessment. Never assume somebody else has reported a water leak issue; they might not have reported it, or you might be the only person affected.
Pooling Water In Your Yard or a Visible Street Leak
If you have water pooling in your yard, wet spots near your sprinkler system, or similar, you probably have some sort of an underground plumbing issue, possibly a leak on your service line. You should consider calling an emergency plumbing service right away. In addition, the city can verify the location or cause of the leak.
In some cases, when you call in, you may find that they already know about the leak and are working on it, or that the discoloration comes from a recent repair. If crews are working outside, then water discoloration is very likely a result of what they are doing.
Hiring a plumber to repair a line that is broken line is expensive, so always verify the cause of the leak first. You don’t want to call somebody out only to find that the leak is the city’s responsibility, but nor do you want to delay calling if the leak is on your property.
Who Should You Call to Repair a Leaking Main Water Line?
Main water line service work is a specialty, so make sure you call a plumber who is a specialist in knowing how to fix a leaking pipe located underground to code, and properly connect to the public water main. Look for a specialist who has a good reputation. Consider asking a neighbor who they use for major plumbing work and/or check online reviews.
Given you need service quickly, it’s often better to go with a slightly larger company that has multiple teams available and provides greater hours of service. This will generally get you faster service, and frequently at a lower price (bigger can mean less expensive).
Listen to the experts on what needs to be done. If your service line turns out to be lead, it will need to be replaced, not repaired, for the safety of you and your family.
You want an experienced, specialized company like Balkan Sewer and Water Main that can handle your repairs on time.
When Should You Expect Repairs to Be Done?
Most specialists offer same-day service. If you smell sewage or see water gushing from the ground, make it clear that this is an emergency request for prioritization. Worst case scenario, you may have to wait until the next day for a smaller leak. Note that Balkan utilizes a uniform price policy, regardless of the urgency, your cost will remain the same.
If Balkan tests your line and finds a leak, we should be able to start and complete repairs within 24 hours. Remember that a leaking main water line is always urgent because it can do damage to your landscaping, driveway, or home.
What If It’s a City Water Main Break?
If the leak turns out to be in the main line that serves your street, the city will typically send crews out to fix it quickly. Water utilities have a lot of incentives to save water and always try to fix leaks quickly.
A tip for after your water line is replaced or repaired
Once you fix the leak, it’s best to run the taps until the water is clear. There may be microorganisms in soil or silt that could cause health problems for people or pets. Likewise, open a faucet slowly to allow for any air to escape and the water to flow smoothly and cleanly.
The NYC Main Water Line Leak Repair Expert
Balkan Sewer And Water Main Service specializes in fixing a leaking main water line on a routine basis. We offer same-day service in most cases and will get one of our experienced crews out as soon as possible. With 70 years of experience and familiarity with New York-specific issues, we can get your leaking water line fixed before it causes major problems. Contact us to schedule your appointment right away.
