The main water line is the primary pipe that supplies all the water you use for your various household needs. It carries water from the public supply into your home. This pipe is usually buried around three feet deep in the yard, so most times you don’t even know it’s there.
For most homeowners, says Innovative Property Solutions, the only time they think of the main water line is when they need to turn off the water supply to the whole house. Because this part of the home’s plumbing system is largely out of sight, it tends to get overlooked during maintenance.
But the main water line is the most important part of your home’s plumbing. Without it, you couldn’t use many of the appliances in your home nor could you maintain personal hygiene. This is why you want to stay up-to-speed with the condition of the main water line.
Common main water line problems
Age
Aging pipes are more susceptible to damage. Accumulated wear and tear may result in the collapse of the main water line. If your home was built before 1960, you may have lead or galvanized water lines. These pipes are dangerous and prone to corrosion.
Soil movements
Upward, downward, or sideways soil movements will exert pressure on pipes. Shifting soils will force the pipe out of place or out of shape and this can happen slowly over a period of time.
Changing water pressure
High water pressure is the main culprit here and it is a bigger problem with aging pipes. Sudden changes in pressure may cause the pipes to burst. Low pressure is also a problem because it leads to increased sedimentation inside the pipes.
Sediment buildup
This can result from mineral buildup. If the water in your area is hard, the mineral content will be deposited in the pipes as the water passes through. Over time, the pipe becomes narrower and more likely to burst under pressure or get clogged.
Tree root damage
Tree roots can penetrate the main water line and block it. A tree root can also wrap itself around the pipe and choke it, reducing, or cutting off the water supply. Tree roots will typically do this only when there is a leak in the pipe.
Human error
If the main water line was poorly installed, it will be prone to damage. This problem usually doesn’t show up immediately after the pipe is installed. Pipes can also get damaged by digging such as when installing a sprinkler system in the yard.
Past repairs
If the main water line has been repaired in the past, there is a chance that future problems will occur around those areas that were repaired. This can happen even if the repair was properly done.
There is a lot that can happen to damage the main water lines in your home. But you cannot tell what is causing the problem until you dig down to the pipes. Fixing main water issues can be tedious and costly; you don’t want to do it more than once.
This is why it is essential to know when problems call for the replacement of the main water line. How can you tell when there are problems with the main water line and when it is time to replace the pipes?
Signs of damage to the main water line
Low water pressure
A break in your main water line will cause a drop in overall water pressure.
A break in your main water line will cause a drop in overall water pressure. The severity of the problem depends on the extent of the damage. A small leak may not be noticeable. However, any decrease in water pressure should be investigated at once. Even if it is a major leak, you may not notice because the pipe is encased in soil which seals the leak. Sedimentation will also cause drops in water pressure.
Poor water quality
This could be discoloration due to the presence of debris that has seeped into the water from the surrounding soil. It could also be from mineral sediments in the pipes. If the water has a yellowish appearance, foul odor, or a gritty texture, you need to check your main water line. This problem will often happen alongside a drop in water pressure.
Water-logged front yard
If the front yard is inexplicably soggy – the water is not coming from your sprinkler and it has not rained – your main water line is most likely leaking. Sometimes the problem is so bad you will see water bubbling up to the surface of the lawn.
Spiking utility bills
When your water bill increases suddenly and there is no reason for it, it means there is a leak in your plumbing system. If you check the plumbing inside the home and the basement but can’t find the leak, the problem is probably located underground in your main water lines.
For any of these issues, you need to call a professional plumber asap. Only after the pipes have been uncovered can you determine the extent of the problem to know if you should replace your main water line or not.