Many homeowners know how to identify a leak in their home’s plumbing. What they might not know, though, is how to spot a leak in the main water line—the pipe connecting a home to the city sewer system.
But if you know what to look for, the signs of a main water line leak are fairly obvious.
Look out for these signs and be sure to call a professional as soon as you spot them:
- Puddles in the street: The most common sign that the main water line broke is puddles forming in the street. After all, that water has to go somewhere, and it usually flows out into the street or sidewalk.
- Backyard flooding: If the water doesn’t go to the street, it might pool up in your backyard. Massive puddles are symptoms of a water line leak and need to be addressed ASAP. The longer you wait, the worse off your yard will be.
- Wet floors and walls: Your floors and walls should never be wet, and any dampness is cause for concern. Depending on how wet the area is, there could be a problem with your internal plumbing or the main water line. A water main line repair company can perform an inspection to identify the source of the trouble.
- Discolored drywall: If the dampness isn’t corrected soon enough, your drywall can start to develop dark spots from water damage. Mold growth and structural damage follow any discolored drywall, so you’ll need to act fast to avoid further complications.
- Low water pressure: A drop in water pressure can happen for a variety of reasons, but if you’re experiencing low water pressure throughout the entire house, it’s likely caused by a main water line leak or blockage.
- Frequent clogs: A clogged toilet or sink here or there is a nuisance, but it’s nothing to be concerned about—but if you’re experiencing frequent clogs across multiple fixtures in your home, there could be something more serious going on. Recurring clogs can be attributed to a problem with your main water line.
- Water sounds: The last thing you want to hear as a homeowner is a dripping sound or the sound of running water when all faucets are turned off. These noises typically indicate a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. If the sound is coming from the area where the water line is connected, it’s likely a water line leak.
- Smelly water: One of the nastier symptoms of a water line leak is foul-smelling and -tasting water. You may notice that your water has a sewer-like smell as it flows out of your taps. Switch to bottled water if that’s the case, and call the city to report a problem with your water line.
Hire our team for help
If you’ve experienced any of these signs of a main water line leak, be sure to hire our pros at Grade-1 Underground. We’ll send someone out right away to perform an inspection and develop a solution to solve your main water line troubles.