How to Manage a Water Leak

 Managing a Leak in the Water Main of Your Rental Property

What To Do If You Have A Leaking Main Water Line

Thousands of folks every year have to repair or replace a leaking main water line.

There are many types of leak that can occur in old city plumbing. Leaky faucets may drip. Rusted pipes may release water behind the walls. Frozen pipes might even burst. But the most subtle and potentially dangerous type of leak is a water main line leak. Your water main is where the building's water branches from the main supply pipes of water below ground level. Water main leaks are the most likely to damage your foundation, flood your basement, and pour out onto the street. Not only is this bad for your water bill, but it can also cause serious damage to the property, and it's not a simple plumbing repair.

What should you do if you have a leaking main water line? As underground plumbing experts, we can help.

 

First, Determine If Your Leak is the Water Main Line

Signs of a leak and signs of a water main line leak are often very similar: Water where it shouldn't be. However, water main lines are almost always underground, in the basement, or near the lowest areas of the house, where other types of leaks can appear higher in your building's structure.

Signs of a Water Main Line Leak

1. Pooling water at ground-level or in the basement
   • When a water main line leaks, water may seep up through the ground, foundation, and basement levels to form a puddle.
2. Hissing or bubbling sounds down below
   • A leaking pipe will sometimes make a soft noise as pressurized water escapes through a small leak.
3. Lower water pressure
   • A major leak in the water main can minimize your home's access to water pressure.
4. Discolored water
   • If all the water in your house becomes discolored or develops a funny smell/taste, this could be a sign of water contamination at the main line.
5. Flooded basement
   • Water main lines are more likely to flood your basement because they tend to be placed at an underground level.
6. Foundation cracks
   • If the water penetrates your foundation, it can cause expansion and dangerous cracks.

Sight Test

On rare occasions, it may be possible to physically see your water main line and where the leak is coming from.

 

How to Test If a Leak is a Water Main Line Leak

A professional plumbing service can provide water leak tests to help determine where the leak symptoms are coming from and whether the problem is your water main line.

• Meter Test
  • All faucets and shut-off valves are closed so the house should be using no water. If the meter continues to register water use, there may be main line damage.
• Audio Test
  • Delicate testing equipment may be able to listen through the pipes to determine where the water is escaping and if it's in your water main line.
• Water Main Inspection
  • A plumbing pro may also be able to access your water main line for a direct inspection of the joint components and the connected pipes.

 

What to Do If You Have a Water Main Line Leak in a Big City

Knowing what to do next is critical to protect your property and your water bill. What should you do if you have a water main line leak?

Turn Off the Water

If possible, you can stop the flooding and water damage by turning off the main water valve - if the valve itself is not the source of the leak. Closing the water main valve will stop water from reaching your building, but it will also cut off water to the leak.

If the problem is between the curb and your home, you may need a specialized plumbing service to turn off the curb stop valve.

Call 311

In most cases, unless you can actually see that your water line is leaking, is to report the leak correctly. Verification is to key to avoid performing water line repair work that may not be required. 311 is the non-emergency local government number.

Schedule Water Main Line Repairs

Once you have confirmed the location and type of damage to your water main, you can schedule repairs. Look for licensed specialists who perform this type of work. Main water service line work is a specialty within the plumbing industry. Balkan Sewer and Water Main Service specializes in underground city plumbing tasks and can provide both repairs and pipe section replacements related to your water main and the water main line that leads into your property.

 

Protect Your Property with Leaf Management

If you are worried about major malfunctions like the water main for properties in the big city, Leaf Management can help. Contact us today to partner with a skilled property management team.