You may not think about your home’s water main very often, but it plays an important role in delivering fresh water to your property. Over time, however, water mains can develop problems that require replacement. When that happens, you’ll have to hire a contractor to replace it or fix the problem. This article tells you what to expect.
Acme Plumbing is a full-service plumbing contractor that has been replacing water lines for over 50 years. We specialize in helping homeowners and businesses with their plumbing needs, including water line replacements.
What is a Water Main?
A water main is a large pipe that delivers fresh water to your property. It is typically buried underground and runs from the street to your home or business. It connects to your private water service line, which is also located underground but on your property. Water mains are usually made of materials like cast iron, copper, concrete, or PVC.
What Are The Common Water Main Problems?
Over time, water mains can develop problems like corrosion, cracks, leaks, and breaks. When this happens, your yard, basement or the street may become flooded. Through a water line break, contaminated water can find its way into your home. At this point, you should stop consuming the water and call a professional to fix the problem.
Water line problems can also cause your water pressure to drop or fluctuate. This can make it difficult to do things like take a shower, wash dishes, or use the restroom. If you’re experiencing these kinds of issues, it’s important to have your water main inspected by a contractor as soon as possible.
Before your contractor arrives, take steps to stop the flow of water. First, contact your utility company to stop the flow of water to your home. If that doesn’t happen or it’s taking too long, you can do it yourself. Your house should have a homeowner’s shutoff valve next to your water meter. Using the water meter key to gain access, turn the valve clockwise until it’s fully closed.
Some kinds of water shutoff valves are susceptible to leaks. If you notice a leak at the water shutoff valve, tighten the packing nut. If that doesn’t stop the leak, add washers or replace the old washers and see what happens. If the leak continues, contact Acme Plumbing and we’ll dispatch a technician to your location immediately.
How do I Find Leaks in My Plumbing System?
It is important that you detect a leak in your water main early to avoid considerable and expensive damage to your property. Examples of such damages are a flooded basement or yard, sinkholes, the presence of mold and mildew, and soil erosion. Look out for the following signs that may point to a water line leak:
-Your water bill is suddenly higher than usual with no change in your family’s water usage habits
-There are soggy spots in your yard or pooling water around your property
-The sound of running water when all your faucets and appliances are turned off
-Mold or mildew growth in your home
-You can see water seeping through cracks in your foundation or walls
-Water spots on floors and walls
If you suspect you have a water line leak, call Acme Plumbing and we’ll send a technician to inspect your property and determine the source of the problem.
Sometimes, leaks can occur in inaccessible places like underground, beneath a slab or behind walls. In these cases, special equipment may be required to detect the leak. Baylor Plumbing has the latest technology and equipment to help us find leaks quickly and efficiently.
To find out if you have a plumbing leak, turn off all water fixtures in your home and see if the water meter registers water flow. You can also hire a leak detection specialist to examine your property. Leak detection is a specialist area and we’re proud to offer this service to our customers.
Water Main Repair And Replacement Pointers
If you or the specialist uncover a leak in your home, fix it immediately to prevent more damage to your property.
Read on to find helpful tips.
Trenchless Replacement is The Best Option
Trenchless pipe replacement is also called no-dig pipe replacement. This is the best option for water line repair and replacement as it doesn’t require your lawn to be dug up. Not only is this method less disruptive, but it’s also more cost-effective. That is why it is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners. Contact us to find out more about trenchless pipe replacement technology.
Opt For a Complete Replacement if There Are Serious Concerns
There are serious concerns if your property is over 50 years old. Another cause for concern is when plumbing problems have been a recurrent issue in your home for several months or even years.
Investigate Before You Dig
It is important to request a utility line inspection by calling 8-1-1 before any form of digging takes place for your water line repair or replacement. This will make you aware of any hazards lurking underground.
Don’t Do It Yourself (DIY)
A water main repair or replacement is not a DIY job. If you do it on your own, it will almost always need to be redone. As a result, you’ll end up spending more money and probably even causing more damage.
How Do I Prevent Water Main Problems?
The best way to prevent water main problems is to have your system inspected and serviced regularly by a professional contractor. This way, any potential issues can be caught early and fixed before they cause major problems. Acme Plumbing offers comprehensive maintenance services that can help you avoid costly repairs in the future. We recommend having your water main inspected at least once a year, or more often if you live in an area with a high water table or if your system is over 50 years old.
Call Acme Plumbing for All Your Water Line Needs
Whether you’re experiencing low water pressure, a leak, or a complete system failure, Acme Plumbing is here to help. We offer a full range of water line repair and replacement services, as well as new installation and maintenance. We use the latest technology and equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently, and our experienced plumbers are available 24/7 to respond to your call. Don’t wait until it’s too late, call Acme Plumbing today at (919) 688-1348!
