What is an underground service line?

Author: Loyal Rippin  |  Last update: Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Underground service lines transport water, waste, heating, cable, internet and more to and from your house. A leak, break, tear, rupture or collapse can easily damage these underground pipes or wires, creating costly repairs and disrupting your daily routine.

What does underground service line coverage mean?

Service line coverage, also known as buried utility lines coverage, is an endorsement that can be added to many home insurance policies to cover the cost of repairing or replacing a broken utility line running into your home.

What is an underground service pipe?

Underground services include all underground pipes, cables and equipment associated with electricity, gas, water (including piped sewage) and telecommunications; as well as other pipelines which transport a range of petrochemical and other fluids.

What is the difference between a service line and a water line?

The water main is actually the pipes that are installed and maintained by the city or town you live in. These service lines include all of the piping used to deliver water to your water service pipe.

What is an example of a service line?

These utility lines are often considered service lines: Water: Incoming water pipes, internal water pipes, drains, sewer pipes, sprinkler lines, and steam pipes. Electric: Underground power lines. Gas and fuel: Fuel lines and natural gas pipes.

Underground Service Line Insurance Coverage

What are underground service lines?

Underground service lines transport water, waste, heating, cable, internet and more to and from your house. A leak, break, tear, rupture or collapse can easily damage these underground pipes or wires, creating costly repairs and disrupting your daily routine.

What is meant by service line?

Meaning of service line in English

the line behind which a player must stand when serving the ball (= hitting it to the other player at the start of a point) in games such as tennis: The defending champion stepped up to the service line and blasted an ace.

What is the best pipe for buried water lines?

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe is a good choice for underground water lines because of how the pipe is connected. Rather than using joints, which can leak, or glues and cement, which can degrade over time, HDPE pipe is connected via plastic fusion.

What is the difference between service line and emergency line?

Be sure you understand the difference between the Service Air Line and the Emergency Air Line. The Service Air Line controls the service brakes when you use the brake pedal. The Emergency Air Line supplies air to the trailer air tanks and the emergency brakes.

What is the minimum depth for an underground service pipe?

Service pipes depth regulations

Black: 450mm for public footpaths, 600mm for carriageways. Red: 450-1200mm for public footway and 750-1200mm for carriageways. Green: 250-350mm. Yellow: 600mm for a public footpath, and 750mm for a carriageway.

What happens if you hit a power line while digging?

Hitting underground utility lines can cause: Immediate Dangers: Gas Leaks: Risks of explosions or fires, especially in dense areas. Electrical Hazards: Potential for shocks, electrocution, or fires, posing risks to everyone nearby.

What is the black underground pipe called?

"Black polyethylene" seems to commonly refer to HDPE pipe, which is pretty comparable to PEX. "Just" PE pipe is cheaper and less durable than HDPE - I'd advise against that underground.

How deep are service lines buried?

Usually there is a minimum of 18 inches underneath the surface that utilities are buried, but we'll go into this more. Electric and communications lines fall around the range between a foot and a half to 2 feet of ground cover for easier access and maintenance. Gas lines typically fall around 3 feet in depth.

Does home insurance cover water service line?

A standard homeowners policy does not cover the service lines running into the home—unless you've added service line coverage.

Who is responsible for service lines?

If you are a homeowner, you may be surprised to learn that the repair or replacement of service lines on your property is your responsibility, not the responsibility of the service provider. These expenses aren't always covered by your basic homeowners policy.

How deep should a water line be buried underground?

The top of the pipe should be buried not less than 1 foot (0.3 m) below the frost line. In those locations where frost is not a factor, the depth of cover should be not less than 2- 1/2 feet (0.8 m) to prevent mechanical damage. Pipe should be buried below the frost line when entering streams and other bodies of water.

What type of pipe is not recommended for a water line?

PVC is most commonly used for drain, waste, and vent lines. It is not recommended for use in potable water lines because it can leach chemicals into the water.

Is PEX ok to run underground?

Yes, PEX pipes can be buried underground. However, it's important to follow local building codes and guidelines to ensure compliance and the longevity of your plumbing system. To ensure optimal performance and protection against external factors, it is essential to bury insulated PEX pipe at the appropriate depth.

Where do I find my water service line?

Check the service line where it enters your home

You'll want to find where the service line enters your home—typically in the basement or crawl space, just prior to the shutoff valve. The water meter may be in the same location, but in some areas, the water meters are outside the home.

What is the difference between a service line and a water main?

Large-diameter pipes supply water for an entire town or city, which are called distribution mains. Typically taps for service lines are not permitted on distribution mains. The smaller branch water pipes supplying individual buildings are known as water service lines.

How to locate a water service line?

If you couldn't find your meter, look for the service line by checking your basement or first floor, looking first along the exterior walls particularly on the side of the building facing the street. The incoming pipe will come through an external wall or the floor and then connect to the water meter.

What is considered a service line?

What are considered service lines under endorsement? Service lines are a network of underground cables, pipes, tubes, and lines that connect your specific home to a main supply for utility services.

What is the purpose of the service line?

A service line is the pipe that connects a home to the water main. Homeowner (property owner) responsibility for the service line varies by community. In some communities, the homeowner is responsible for the portion of the line from the curb stop in their yard, where the shutoff valve is, into their home.

What is another name for the service line?

The service line (also called the control line or signal line) carries air to the trailer brakes, and is controlled by the foot brake or the trailer hand brake.

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