It’s easy to take clean, running water for granted. We depend on the water to be there on demand. Though, over time water lines begin to erode and deteriorate. That can happen anywhere, beneath the ground, concrete or pavement, or within walls. Commercial or residential water service line repair or replacement can be a very costly surprise for any business or homeowner.
When a main water line breaks, it is disruptive, damaging and most often requires immediate excavation and repair.
You may not even notice when a main water line from the street begins to leak. You could see or feel more dampness in the grass, or wonder why there’s water on the sidewalk, but until it turns into something more, it may go unnoticed for quite some time. If you experience a discoloration of your water, a drop in water pressure, or a constantly wet location in your yard, your water line may be damaged. Or, a higher than normal water bill could also be an indication of a leak that has gone undetected.
Normal wear and tear can often cause water lines to leak or even break due to deterioration of older pipes, seasonal changes, or root invasion from trees which could result in reduced water pressure or flooding. Leaks can also be caused by lightning strikes that may damage your water service line. Extensive damage may require a complete water line replacement.
Water leaking from a high-pressure water line can create a sink hole from underground erosion. This type of leak can cause permanent damage, rob areas of enormous quantities of potable water required for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning along with other water supply requirements from your service pipes leaking under the ground surface.
Within a residence, a water line leak can ruin hardwood flooring, wall surfaces, furnishings, and in some cases, begin to erode the foundation.
A broken water line to your home or building can cause major problems for everyone involved. When you have a water line leak, your number one priority should be restoring water service.
As almost all water lines are located underground, water line replacement or repair requires special attention. There are a number of different methods that may be used in main water line replacement. Proper testing is important for accurately determining whether there actually is a leak, and then to determine what the first step should be.
Once the leak is located, any other utility lines need to be marked out and located. That includes any fiber optic cables, along with electrical lines and gas lines.
When main water line repair and water line replacement work is performed, proper safety precautions must be taken. This includes proper direction for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. In addition to worker safety, safety for the general public is also vitally important.
A main line repair requires special skill-sets which includes excavators and plumbers. It is important to hire an experienced, dependable contractor who knows the ins-and-outs of main water line repair.
