Many homeowners don’t realize that they are responsible for maintaining and repairing the water service line that runs from the water meter at the street to their home. Your local water authority maintains the water main at the street and the line that runs from the water main to the meter, but the water line on your side of the meter is your responsibility.
Some utilities offer service contracts for the water supply line, but these are not available in all areas. The water service line is usually buried a foot or two underground and most homeowners don’t give it much thought because it rarely needs any maintenance.
Unfortunately, if it bad news is that when a water service line breaks or starts leaking, water line repairs can be expensive depending on whether or not the water line can be repaired or needs to be replaced. Most water lines installed in the past 15 years are either copper or PVC pipe. These lines have very long service lives and rarely leak or break. Most problems are caused by the line freezing, the ground shifting, or a heavy vehicle being driven over the line. Your plumber can usually repair a broken or leaking copper or PVC water service line by digging up the line at the leak and repairing it.
Older homes may have galvanized or polybutylene pipe installed. These materials have a limited life span and eventually corrode, usually from the inside out. Repairing a leaky or broken galvanized or polybutylene water service line rarely makes sense because a new leak will soon form in another location. These lines should be replaced if they break or start to leak.
