A leaking water service line is a serious problem that should be taken care of as soon as possible. Your water service line is the pipe that supplies water to your home from the main line at the street. This line is buried in your yard and runs from the water meter near the street to your home. If the line breaks between the meter and your home, it is your responsibility. If the line breaks on the other side of the meter, call your local water company and have it repaired.
A broken water service line is not always easy to identify. Sometimes, the first warning sign is an abnormally high water bill. If your water usage for a month is much higher than normal, look around your yard in the area between your water meter and your house for signs of water leakage. This usually appears as a soft, mushy spot in your yard that never seems to dry up. Try turning off the water supply where it enters your home. If your water meter continues to run, then you have a leak in your water supply line.
If you think you need a water line repair, call a local reputable plumber right away. Once they start leaking, a broken water line will quickly get worse. In addition to high water bills, the leaking water can cause underground erosion, or leak into your basement or crawlspace.
If your water supply line is galvanized or polybutylene pipe, you are probably better off replacing the entire line rather than fixing the leak. For copper or PVC supply lines, you may have the option of just repairing the leaking section of pipe. Your plumber can help you make this decision.
