Water service line leaks are a common and frustrating problem for homeowners. These leaks occur when the underground pipe that connects your property to the water main begins to degrade or crack. Not only can they cause significant damage to your property, but they can also have a significant impact on your daily life.
Your best bet to fix the leak is to turn off the water, drain the line, and then cut out the bad section and replace with some new glued in fittings and pipe pieces.
Main water line replacement costs an average of $1,713 but ranges from $646 to $2,824, depending on the length and depth of the line, materials, and method.
The water service line includes the piping that carries water from the city water main which is usually located in the street to the inside of the house where the pipe connects to the meter. In rare cases, the city water main may be located under the sidewalk, but the same rules still apply under this definition.
Most homeowners insurance policies will not cover water line breaks unless a line has undergone sudden, significant damage.
Inside the house, crews detach where the line connects to plumbing. A cable is fed through the old service line with a coil attached to one end of the new pipe. The crew uses equipment to pull the cable with the lead service line and the new pipe through the ground. The new pipe is then connected to the water main.
Who is Responsible for the Water Line From the Street to Your House? Water service lines within the bounds of your property are considered your personal responsibility to maintain, while public water pipes outside of private property lines are the city's responsibility.
If these are damaged or break, the homeowner might be responsible for the repair. A standard homeowners policy does not cover the service lines running into the home—unless you've added service line coverage.
A simple water main repair can be completed in six to eight hours, but large or complicated repairs may take several days.
Average Flat Rate
Some plumbing jobs are billed at a flat rate. As of 2025, the average plumber rates for larger repairs are typically between $500 to $800, while smaller jobs like repairing toilets, sinks, faucets, or bathtubs typically range from $125 to $350.
A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe. If the scraped area is copper in color, like a penny, your service line is copper. A magnet will not stick to a copper pipe. If the scraped area remains a dull gray, and a magnet sticks to the surface, your service line is galvanized steel.
Hire a professional: If the location of the water service line break is on your property, you will likely be responsible for the repair. Depending on the complexity of the situation, you will likely want to hire a professional plumber for the specialized equipment and expertise to safely handle the repair.
Perhaps the water pressure in your house isn't great or your water supply isn't healthy. If you find yourself in either of these situations, know that it is possible to replace a water main – the main pipe that supplies your water – entirely by yourself. You can also save yourself a lot of money in the process.
Depending on the level of coverage you purchased, the insurance may cover part or all of the water line replacement and property damage costs due to a broken line. Look for a plumber who specializes in water line replacement services for best results and to avoid problems in the future.
If you detect a leak anywhere in your yard, it's usually your responsibility to have the issue taken care of. That means calling a plumbing expert to get the job done.
Average Cost to Repair a Main Water Line
According to HomeAdvisor, U.S. homeowners spent an average of $982 for main water line repairs in 2022. However, the actual range can vary widely. Repairs start around $350 on the low end and climb up to $5,000 or more to replace a water line.
Typically, main water line pipes last decades. Some experts estimate that they last around 70 years, though this can vary from development to development. If your home is considerably dated–if it was built in or before the 1950s or even the 1980s–you should have its water line inspected.
Turn off the water supply to the leaking pipes and clean the area around the hole to be patched. Use a metal file to smooth any sharp edges that might cut through the patch. Apply the patch and repair clamp so it evenly overlaps the damaged section of pipe. Tighten the clamps to seal the leak.
Water service lines and building supply lines connect buried water mains to buildings to supply potable water, and sometimes to supply fire protection systems. The water service line is typically referred to as the segment of buried water pipe under the street, the property of the water utility.
I live in Southern California, the water company is responsible for the water pipe that comes from the street until it reaches the water meter (usually near the curb in front of your house). The part of the pipe that goes from the water meter to your house and all the pipes inside your house are your responsibility.
Typical inside locations include the basement, crawl space, or garage. Typical outside locations are between the water main in the street and the house, on the sidewalk, or in the yard. If your meter is inside, the service line will enter the house near the meter, on the same wall.