Your main water line is the pipe that carries water from the distribution mains in the street into your home, explains The Maryland and Delaware Group. It is typically located on the street-facing side of your home. On the main water line is where you find the water meter and main water shut-off valve for your home.
This pipe usually has a larger diameter than the ones found inside your home and is typically made of M, L, or K copper, brass, ductile iron pipes, or CPVC. In order to be able to endure the stresses that it will be subject to your main water line has to be tough.
But like all manmade materials, your main water line is not indestructible. Though it is designed to last a lifetime it is still susceptible to problems that can impair its function and shorten its lifespan, such as:
- Corrosion: The dissolved minerals in water can react with the pipe and weaken the line.
- Freezing: Extreme cold weather can burst the line by freezing the water inside.
- Shifting soil: Soil shifts can cause the line to crack, break, or collapse.
- Invasive tree roots: If tree roots penetrate your main water line, they will destroy it.
- Construction activities: Nearby construction activities may also damage the water line.
- Aging: As pipes approach the end of their service life they become weaker.
Replacing your damaged water line
How can you tell if your main water line is damaged?
- Low water pressure
That affects your home alone and not your neighbors’ is probably due to a broken water line.
- Water discoloration
Yellowish/brownish water may be due to soil infiltration into the main water line or corrosion.
- Wet spots in the yard
Soggy patches in your yard could be because of a broken main water line.
- High water bills
If the water bill goes up for no apparent reason you may suspect a leak in your water line.
- Water in the street or yard
When water starts to pool in your yard or the street.
5 critical factors when replacing your main water line
Replacing your main water line is a costly and highly disruptive endeavor. Here are five key factors that can play a role in how much you spend on the project:
- Length and location of the line
The longer your water line (or the damaged section you want to replace), the more materials you need, and the higher your labor cost. This is easy to understand. A different factor that is not so apparent is accessibility. If the line is obstructed by trees and concrete structures your replacement costs will be a lot higher. The contractor will have to deal with these obstacles first before commencing the actual work of replacing your main water line.
- Your geographical region
Geography matters because winter temperatures vary greatly across regions. For homes in areas with harsh winters, their replacement costs are going to be higher. This is because the frost line is deeper in such places and pipes have to be buried farther into the ground to keep them from freezing. Your contractor will have to do more excavation work– higher labor costs – and you will need more materials to cover the extra length of your main water line.
- Material cost
Depending on your location and the existing regulations in that area, you may use the following pipe materials for your main water line; M, L, or K copper, brass, ductile iron, PEX, and CPVC. Of course, the cost profile of each material is different; with brass pipes costing far more than plastic pipes like PEX and CPVC. When choosing the materials for your water line other factors to consider, apart from the cost of the pipes, include; resistance to attack by rodents, pipe inner diameter, and overall durability.
- Labor cost
Labor will form a major part of your replacement costs. Your labor cost will partly depend on the complexity of the project and the experience of your preferred contractor. Factors that may affect the complexity of the project include the ones listed above and others not discussed here. If your chosen pipe material is hard to work with, expect your labor cost to be higher. Your labor costs will also be higher if the old water line contains lead pipes.
- Additional services
Unexpected factors can also play into the eventual cost of replacing your main water line. Some will have a direct link to the project, while others, although not directly linked to the work, will be necessary for the smooth completion of your project. For instance, you may need to replace your water meter. It is also possible that you will need flagmen for traffic control. If your site is affected by something like pipe electrolysis, it will add to the cost of your project.
To conclude, the final and maybe the #1 factor for the successful replacement of your main water line is the contractor you hire. From the initial step of inspecting the line – to diagnose the issues in it – to the final step of actually installing the line, working with a reputable plumber is paramount.