Emergency Service Line Leaks: What To Do Right Now
Water bubbling up in the yard, a sinkhole-like soft spot, or a meter that spins fast with every fixture off are signs of an active service line leak. Shut off the main valve at the house if you can reach it. Then call our 24/7 emergency line.
If you have no water at all, check whether neighbors are affected before assuming the line has failed. We help you sort that out on the call, and we send a crew at any hour when the line is the problem.
How A Service Line Fails
A service line runs underground for most of its length, so it fails quietly. Age and corrosion are common causes. Shifting soil, tree roots, and damage from past digging can also crack or pull apart a line.
The first sign is often not water at all. A water bill that climbs month after month, a meter that keeps turning, or pressure that fades slowly are the clues we hear most. By the time wet ground shows up, the leak may have been running for a while.
Around Woodstock, older streets near Main Street and newer builds along Towne Lake Parkway can have different pipe materials and ages. That is why we ask when the house was built before we plan the repair.
Finding The Leak Before Anyone Digs
We start with a simple meter test. With every fixture off, we watch whether the meter keeps moving. If it does, the leak is somewhere between the meter and the fixtures, and we narrow it from there.
Next we use electronic tracing and listening equipment to locate the leak along the line. We mark the spot on the surface so the dig is small and planned. This matters on a long run from the street, where a guess can mean trenching across a lawn or driveway.
If the leak is inside the house instead, we tell you right away. That is a different repair, and our leak detection service covers it.
Repair Or Replace: How We Decide
A single failed spot in an otherwise sound line is usually a spot repair. A line with several leaks, heavy corrosion, or an old pipe material is a better candidate for replacement. We explain what we found and show you the options before work begins.
Some older homes may have lead service lines running from the street. If you suspect yours does, ask your water provider and tell us when you call. We will plan the visit with that in mind.
If the whole house has old supply lines, a service line replacement is a good time to price whole-home repiping as well. You can then compare the two jobs on real numbers instead of guessing.
Where Your Responsibility Ends And The Utility's Begins
The meter is the usual dividing point between the utility's pipe and yours, but the details are worth confirming for your address. Ask your water provider where its responsibility ends before you hire anyone to dig.
Any excavation should start with a call to Georgia 811 so underground utilities are marked first. We handle that as part of the job. We also confirm with the permitting office that covers your address whether the work needs a permit.
What Affects The Price
The length of the line, its depth, and what sits on top of it all matter. Digging through lawn is different from cutting through a driveway or a walkway. Pipe material, access to the meter, and whether the line can be repaired in one spot or needs full replacement also change the price.
We give a written quote before non-emergency work begins. For an emergency, we explain the likely scope on the call and confirm it on site.
Service Line Calls Across Our Area
We handle service line problems for homes in Woodstock, Towne Lake, Hickory Flat, Sixes, Holly Springs, Canton, Acworth and Kennesaw. Our dispatch line is open around the clock.
If your water bill spiked and you are not sure where the water is going, start with our leak detection page. If the leak seems to be under the house, slab leak detection may be the better fit. We work to the manufacturer's installation guidelines and to the plumbing standards that apply at your address.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my water service line is leaking?
Common signs are a meter that keeps turning with every fixture off, a wet or unusually green patch of yard, and a water bill that keeps climbing. Low pressure at every tap can also point to the service line.
Is the service line my responsibility or the utility's?
The meter is the usual dividing point, but it can differ by address. Ask your water provider where its responsibility ends before you schedule a dig.
Do you have to dig up the whole yard to fix a service line?
No. We locate the leak first and mark it, so a spot repair is a small dig. If the line needs replacing, we explain the route and what it means for your lawn or driveway beforehand.
Can a leaking service line cause low water pressure?
Yes. A leak between the meter and the house lets water escape before it reaches your fixtures, which can lower pressure throughout the home.