Water travels from the city's main water line to your house water main, a large (¾ inches or larger) pipe that leads into your home. This supply line is buried deep enough underneath your property that it won't freeze, and it runs from the ground directly into the home.
If your meter is inside, then the line should be near it on the same wall. 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.
In basements: It may be found near the front foundation wall inside the home. The main water line usually comes through the basement concrete floor or wall. In some cases, the main water could enter through a different area, such as near the furnace or water heater.
Groundwater or Surface-Water Sources
The water in your home ultimately comes from one of two places. Groundwater sources include various types of wells. And surface-water sources can include rivers, lakes or reservoirs.
Get a Residential Plumbing Diagram from the County Clerk
This local government professional typically has access to your neighborhood's plumbing diagram and can send it your way to help you find the main sewer line.
Most of the time, the sewer line will be sticking out of the ground and easy to spot; however, overgrown landscaping or objects close to the house could hide the cap. Or, you could have a buried sewer cleanout. Try searching on the side of the home that is closest to the main floor bathroom.
It comes straight into your house from the water mains. The water from this tap is usually moving and flowing and has not been stagnant (still or stationary).
The incoming water line usually comes through the foundation near the front side of your house. Follow this line up to the water meter. Just past the meter should be the main water shut-off valve, a red or green handle or knob.
Plumbers install these pipes in straight lines, 90 degree angles, or slight downward slopes to facilitate easier flow. Each water appliance has its own intake pipe, which branches off from the cold water pipes to supply the particular appliance with cold water.
Where Does My Drinking Water Come From? Your drinking water could come from a domestic well or a water system. Water systems can rely on groundwater or water from streams and rivers (known as surface water), or a combination of these sources.
Your water line must be buried at least 12 inches below the frost line to meet local code requirements. However, a minimum depth of 6 inches below the frost line is often recommended for extra security against freezing.
It may be in the garage where the water line enters the wall or ceiling, near the water heater, or by the clothes washer hookup. Also, look outside, near the building foundation, where it may be protected by concrete or clay pipe. Check inside closets on wall where water enters the home. Also, under stairs.
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.
In general, plumbing lines run either down from above or up from below to supply fixtures and appliances. There are exceptions, such as multiple fixtures in close proximity on the same wall and restrictive floor plan layout. In some scenarios, the plumbing lines may be run horizontally through the wall framing.
To begin, you should try to obtain an old property inspection report to find some indication of the water line's general location. If you do not have this information, you can find your water meter for a good starting place. Once you have an idea of where to begin, you can set up the utility locator.
Today, the best tool for the job is ground penetrating radar (GPR) as it accurately maps metal and PVC pipes. Traditional pipe locators use electricity and magnets to locate underground pipes.
The main water line may be behind drywall, paneling, the ceiling, or flooring. Follow visible water lines near the water heater. Locate the incoming cold water supply line attached to the water heater and follow the pipe back to the main water line, where you can find the main water shutoff valve.
To determine if there's water under your property before digging a well, the most reliable method is to consult local geological data from your state geological survey or USGS, which can provide information about the water table depth in your area; you can also look for visible signs like nearby springs, wet areas, ...
After shutting off the main valve, ensure you drain the water from all the fixtures. In summer, the temperature of the water raises the pressure inside the pipes. If there is a crack, parts of your plumbing could burst. It is even more critical to drain hoses and faucets in the winter.
Wall scanners and digital detectors represent the cutting edge in home diagnostic tools. These devices, typically featuring screen displays, project a visual map of what lies behind the veil of your wall. Besides showing the skeletal stud structure, they can accurately locate plumbing and electrical conduits.
Go to the city office directly or call them to see if they can tell you where the sewer line is located. Usually, they can show you where the line goes from your home to the city's main line. If you are unable to reach the city, see if there is an interactive underground utility map of your area online.
AC Drain Lines and Water Heater PRV Lines
The two most common drain pipes that most people have on the side of their house are: Air conditioner condensate lines (AC drain line). Water heater pressure relief valve lines (PRV drain line).