Don’t Let a Water Main Break Leave You High and Dry! We’ll Fix It Fast
The water main is the main pipe in an underground municipal water distribution system. Almost all water supplied to residential and commercial properties in the metropolitan area flows through the water main and into smaller pipes attached to your home’s faucets. Water mains take fresh water from the water treatment facility and deliver it to St. Louis City and County neighborhoods. They are almost always located underground. The water line at your residence is likely located in your front yard, about three and a half feet underground.
Water Main vs. Water Service Pipe vs. Water Distribution Line
The water main refers to the main water line that carries fresh water from a water treatment facility to smaller pipes that lead into your home or building. Most water mains are installed and maintained by St. Louis City or Missouri American Water.
The water service pipe or water service line is the pipe that carries water from the water main to the inside of your home. In Saint Louis County, your water consumption is metered. The meter is usually located in the front yard in a pit or in the home near where the water enters the home. In the City of Saint Louis, most water consumption is not metered and you are billed on a flat rate model.
The water distribution line is the pipe from your home’s water service where it enters the home to the locations inside your home where water is being used, including showers, sinks, toilets, refrigerators, washing machines, and other fixtures.
Potential Problems in Your Home’s Water Main
In addition to supplying water to the faucets inside your house, water mains also supply water to fire hydrants for emergencies and fires. A water main that doesn’t function properly and/or isn’t installed safely and correctly can cause devastating consequences. Over time, corrosion and cracks in the water main lines due to age, temperature, pressure changes, and the type of material the water main is made of (cast iron is common but can wear down over time), can cause leaks and blockages, so it’s important to watch for and recognize these potential problems. Generally speaking, either Missouri American Water or the City of Saint Louis will repair water main issues. You can help them do their job by reporting issues with water mains (think water bubbling out of the street or a broken fire hydrant).
Flooding
Over time, main water lines can corrode and crack, which can cause flooding in and around your home. Inside, you might notice mold or mildew growth, water spots, or water seeping through cracks in your foundation or walls. Outside, you may notice soggy spots in your yard or see water puddles on your property or on the street in front of your home. If you notice any of these signs, call a professional immediately and refrain from consuming water in your home until the problem is fixed.
Low water pressure
A drop in water pressure when you shower or wash dishes could also signify a problem. Have your water main inspected by a licensed plumber as quickly as possible. While you wait, call your water utility to see if they are having issues with their water main. Occasionally, the water utility will help diagnose a leak, but it isn’t always consistent. If things are bad, and you have a meter in the yard, you may be able to turn the water off to your home by accessing the shutoff valve next to your home’s water meter. If you notice a leak at the valve, let your plumber know so they can repair this when they arrive to inspect your water service.
Clogged water service lines
Occasionally, water service lines can become clogged with debris. Usually this occurs after a nearby water main break and debris entered into the water main as part of the repair by the utility. It is not particularly common and can be hard to diagnose. It usually manifests a sudden drop in water volume and pressure in the home after a water main repair even though no changes have occurred to the home’s plumbing.
The Cost of a Water Line Repair
It can be difficult to estimate the cost of repairing a broken water line. In addition to the cost of labor, which can run anywhere from $75 – $200 an hour, there are a number of factors to consider, from the material to the type of work necessary.
Materials
If your water line is made of copper, Forbes estimates that you can pay anywhere from $2 to $8 per linear foot for repairs. CPVC piping is similar to PVC but can withstand higher temperatures. CPVC line repairs can be quite a bit cheaper, at just $.50 to $1 per linear foot. PEX pipe, a type of flexible plastic, will run you about $.50 to $2 per linear foot for repairs.
Type of work
A simple water line leak might run you about $150 to $300 in repair costs. But if your plumber needs to repair underground water lines that are broken, you’ll pay much more—usually about $100 to $200 per linear foot, depending on weather excavation needed. If your plumber determines you need a complete water line replacement, you can expect to pay close to $4k for repairs.
Water lines that have corrosion could require a partial water line repair, but in some cases, it could mean a complete water line replacement. This can cost upwards of $5k when all is said and done.
TO DIY or NOT TO DIY Your Water Line Repair
Your home’s main water line is a crucial component of your home’s daily functioning, so we don’t recommend attempting main water line repair or replacement as a DIY project. In fact, many cities and neighborhoods prohibit homeowners from working on a water line without the help of a professional plumber.
Before you attempt a water main repair or replacement on your own, you should contact your town’s clerk to find out what regulations you’ll need to follow before you begin.
St. Louis County Water Service Line Repair Program
A Residential Water Service Line Repair Program was approved by St. Louis County homeowners in November 2000. Residents are billed $1.00 each month (or $12/year) for this service via their water bill. This covers any water main issues outside of your home, such as a leak. If you are a resident of St. Louis County and you find or suspect a leak outside your home, you can call the County Water Service Line Repair Program at 314-615-8420. The County will solicit bids on your behalf from qualified professionals in your area and pay for the repair. Keep in mind that the water company does not confirm leaks or pay for any repairs inside your house.
If it is outside of normal business hours, your water service provider can shut off the water supply immediately to avoid emergency services. If they are unable to do so, contact your local plumber to do this as quickly as possible. On the next business day, you can apply for the main water line repair program to have the exterior leak fixed.
The St. Louis County Water Service Line Repair Program does NOT cover the following:
- Repairs needed as a result of freezing, earthquakes, or other acts of God.
- Repairs on the inside of the house.
- Water meters and/or any facilities owned by the water service providers.
- Landscaping or ornamental structures.
- The location or relocation of shut off values or stop cocks.
- The elective replacement of old or lead lines.
- Repairs made without following proper program procedure and application.
St. Louis City Water Service Line Repair Program
The City of Saint Louis Water Service Line Repair Program covers breaks for residential water services from the water main to the tee head, which is usually located in the tree lawn area near the curb. It generally does not cover repairs on private property or commercial water service repairs. To be eligible, you must be current on your water bill. The City Water Department will come out and assess your water service and make a determination if a repair is necessary and if it is covered by the program. Contact the City Water Department if you believe your water service is leaking and would be covered by the program.
Maplewood Plumbing and Sewer Now Offers Water Main Line Repair Services
A damaged water main line can cause major problems in your home and significant repair costs. Have your main water line inspected every one to two years so that any issues can be detected before they become major hassles and pricing hurdles. Maplewood Plumbing is equipped with the necessary experience, tools, and knowledge to complete your water line repair. Our water line repair services team will map out the repair and ensure safety measures are in place before using state-of-the-art excavation equipment and/or hand tools to complete the water line replacement.
We also offer non-invasive sewer pipe repair solutions for St. Louis homeowners, such as pipelining, sewer camera inspections to diagnose issues, and new Light Ray UV Repair, which is a trenchless method of relining pipes using an epoxy resin and UV lights to quickly and efficiently repair cracks in sewer pipes.
Maplewood Plumbing and Sewer has more than 30 years of experience in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. Our family-owned business prides itself on our solid reputation in the community. Give us a call and see for yourself why our loyal customers won’t use anyone else!
We offer a one-year warranty on all parts and labor excluding washers.
We are experts in kitchen plumbing, bathroom plumbing, laundry room plumbing, commercial plumbing, outdoor plumbing, and remodeling. Give us a call at 314-645-6350 or fill out the contact form here to request a bid.