We often take for granted the simple luxury of turning on the faucet and having clean, running water at our fingertips. This convenience wouldn’t be possible without a properly functioning home water line. The water line is the main pipe that connects your home to the town water supply.
A water line break can be incredibly inconvenient and destructive if it is not replaced immediately. In this blog, we’ll explain your home’s water line, how to tell if your water line is faulty, and water line replacement options.
What is a Water Line?
The water line is a pipe about ¾ inches or 1 inch that runs from the city’s main water line into your home to connect with the hot and cold-water lines. It is essential for supplying fresh water to your home for cooking, cleaning, hygiene, and other everyday tasks.
The pipe is located underground on your private property to prevent it from freezing. Water lines are usually made from:
● Galvanized steel or iron
● Plastic such as PEX
● Copper
Signs of a Faulty Water Line
The materials used for water lines are durable; however, they will degrade over time and potentially crack. In regions with below-freezing temperatures or extreme temperature changes, water lines can wear down more quickly. Water lines can also be damaged by tree roots, soil shifting, or excavation.
Signs that your water line is damaged include:
● Water leaks
● Low water pressure
● Puddles in your lawn
● Rusty or discolored water
● Unpleasant odors or tastes in water
● Strange noises in the plumbing system
If you suspect damage to your water line, call a professional plumber to inspect it right away. If damage is not repaired quickly, the pipe could burst, leading to serious inconvenience, property damage, and costly repairs.
Water Line Replacement
If your water line is damaged, there are two methods for replacing it- trenched and trenchless.
Trenched: This method requires digging a trench in your yard to access the broken pipe and replace it. This style of repair may be slightly less expensive, but it does take more time, which means more time without water in your home, and the digging will damage your lawn.
Trenchless: Two trenchless methods are pipelining where a resin is used to create a new pipe within the old pipe, or pipe bursting where a hydraulic cable breaks up the old pipe and pulls a new HDPE plastic pipe into place. Trenchless is popular because it is less disruptive and has a quick turnaround.
Choosing a Plumber for Water Line Replacement Services
It is important to choose a plumber with the experience and expertise necessary to repair this crucial component of your home’s plumbing system.
For over 30 years, Ace Plumbing has provided the finest residential and commercial plumbing services in the Greater Baltimore area. Our licensed plumbers are skilled experts, knowledgeable in their field, and equipped to remedy any plumbing problem.
If you have a broken water line, slow or clogged drains, leaky faucets, lack of hot water, low water pressure, or any other plumbing issue, contact Ace Plumbing at (410) 256-7900 for the dependable service you deserve.
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