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The main water line is susceptible to leaks and cracks, much like the rest of the plumbing in your home. When this happens, you’ll need to call an Arlington, TX plumber right away for water line repair services. If you turn a blind eye to the problem, it will worsen significantly. Not only will the water that’s leaking out from the water line erode the soil, but it could also weaken the structural integrity of your property and home.

Another important thing to consider is that a water line leak can be very pricey if you don’t fix the problem right away. For one, you’ll need to pay a lot more for unnecessary water usage and consumption. Two, you’ll also need to pay more for water line repair services in the future. It’s easy for the water pressure from the leak to cause other areas to burst as well.

In this article, we will look at how you can identify whether there’s a water leak with the main water line. We’ll also explore two options for a repair. If you have any further questions or concerns, speak with a plumber as soon as possible.

Signs of a Water Leak in the Main Water Line

So, how do you tell whether there is a water leak in the main water line? Since the main water line is normally installed underground and outside of your home, it can be difficult to determine whether there’s a leak or not. After all, it’s almost impossible to see a leak even if it does happen. That’s why you need to use different ways to look for a leak.

We’ll look at some of the most obvious signs below. If you suspect that there’s a main water line leak, call a plumber immediately. This is definitely considered a plumbing emergency, as a large amount of water is leaking into the ground at every moment. This could erode the soil and cause other problems in your yard, as well as with the foundation of your home.

#1. Muddy Ground in the Yard

One of the most obvious signs that there’s a water line leak in your yard is very muddy or if you notice that there are a lot of puddles is a big puddle in your yard despite the fact that it hasn’t rained in quite some time. This usually means that there’s a leak right under the puddle. The larger that the puddle is, the larger the leak is.

#2. High Water Bills

Another sign that you may have a main water line leak is if your water bills continue to rise every month despite the fact that you haven’t made any changes to your plumbing. If there is a main water line leak, you can expect your home to be using a significant amount of water on a regular basis. This could prove to be quite expensive.

As the leak worsens, you’ll also notice the water bills continue to rise. In some worst-case scenarios, your water bills can increase by several hundred dollars. You will only be able to fix the problem once you call a plumber for water line services in Arlington, TX.

A Quick and Easy Way to Check

Are you wondering whether your high water bills in Arlington, TX are attributed to a main water line leak or not? All you have to do is shut down the water source at the main shut-off valve, as well as all of the plumbing appliances. Make sure that none of the plumbing appliances are on. Then, go take a look at the water meter.

If there is a leak in the main water line, the water meter will still record water usage despite the fact that you have nothing turned on. If there isn’t a main water line leak, then the water meter shouldn’t record any usage at all.

#3. Low Water Pressure

Have you noticed that the water pressure in your house has dropped significantly? Was the water pressure better before? Is the water coming out of your faucets just a light trickle now?

If you’ve answered yes to all of the questions above, then there’s a really good chance that you’re facing a main water line leak. If the issue is not that widespread and only affects one or two plumbing appliances, then the problem doesn’t have anything to do with the main water line.

#4. Issues with the Foundation

This is perhaps one of the worst consequences that you may ever have to face with a main water line leak. If there’s a leak, it’s easy for the water to seep into the foundation. When that happens, you’ll be facing structural issues with your home. Repairing a foundation can be very tricky and pricey.

#5. Discolored Water

Last but not least, discolored water can also be attributed to a main water line leak at times. It really depends on why the water is discolored. This is because dirt and other contaminants can reach your water source. Discolored water poses a huge health risk. You could expose yourself and everyone in your home to pathogens. Another thing to note is that the dirt and contaminants can end up clogging and breaking the pipes and plumbing appliances.

Traditional vs Trenchless Water Line Repair

When looking at water line repair services, you usually have two options to go with: traditional and trenchless. Traditional options usually involve digging up the entire water line in order to determine which areas need to be repaired. If only a section of the waterline is damaged, the plumbing company may be able to determine a rough idea of where it is. This will allow them to only dig up a small area. Once the area is dug up, the water line repair is pretty much identical to repairing the plumbing in your home.

Trenchless options, on the other hand, are quite different. They usually involve using a video camera to inspect the water line first. From there, the plumber will then thread a piece of equipment that will lay out new plumbing.

Benefits of Trenchless Water Line Repair

Trenchless water line repair services in Arlington, TX are often considered superior to traditional options. They are highly recommended by many different plumbers and plumbing companies. If you are looking for water line repair services, you should consider this option before anything else. We will look at some of the benefits below:

• Reduced risk of property damage. In comparison to traditional options, trenchless options are noninvasive. They reduce the need for excavation, so there’s less of a chance that the water line repair will end up damaging your property. It won’t have to dig up any of the plants in your home.

• Faster water line repairs. Traditional methods can usually take up to 3 to 5 days to complete. This can be quite a hassle to some homeowners as they may not be able to stay at home during that time. Instead, they’ll need to rent a hotel because they have no access to water at all. Trenchless water line repair services, on the other hand, can usually be completed in less than 24 hours. They’re super fast!

• Affordability. Because traditional options take such a long time and a lot more manpower, you can typically expect them to be quite a lot more expensive. Trenchless water line repair services are typically more affordable since they also eliminate the need for excavation.

• Stronger pipes. This is another advantage that many homeowners are not often aware of. Trenchless technology will usually be able to install much stronger pipes on the ground, so you can expect your new water line to be stronger and more durable. They’ll be less susceptible to leaks and cracks in the future, which can save you quite a bit of money as well.

With all of that said, you really need to also consider whether traditional options are available as well. It can be difficult to determine which option is best unless you have all of the information needed to make an informed decision. In comparison to traditional options, trenchless options are noninvasive. They reduce the need for excavation, so there’s less of a chance that the water line repair will end up damaging your property. It won’t have to dig up any of the plants in your home.

Other Tips to Follow

When it comes to water line repairs, there are some tips and tricks that you should follow. Waterline repairs tend to be the trickiest to deal with because they involve a lot of careful planning. Some of the tips that you should follow include:

• Choose a full replacement if the damage is too severe. Instead of trying to replace just a section of the plumbing, you should consider replacing the entire thing. This is the most recommended option if your plumbing is over 50 years old and if the plumbing problems that you are facing have persisted for weeks or even years. For example, if you are constantly dealing with a water line leak, you should look into a full replacement when considering main water line repair services.

• Come up with a game plan before you dig. Did you know that an underground utility line is damaged in the US every 6 minutes? So many homeowners dig down without thinking about what lies underneath. Before you attempt any type of water line repair, you should speak with a utility line inspector to double-check all of the information. The plumbing company that provides the main water line repair will also do their due diligence.

If you need any type of plumbing repair service, make sure that you speak with a professional first to get a good idea of what to expect. They’ll be able to look at the grand scheme of things in order to determine which option may be a better bet for you.

Payment and Cost

In general, these types of plumbing repairs are the most costly and difficult to tackle. As a result, you can usually expect a fairly large belt. Depending on how many sections are damaged, you might also need to schedule the repairs for separate days

Although these types of plumbing repairs are very costly, you can always find a plumbing company that will offer some type of financing program that doesn’t charge you interest within a certain period of time. Many plumbing companies are also willing to set up payment plans, which can help make things even more affordable.

If you’re looking for even cheaper options, you can always speak with a professional to see what they can do. Either way, when it comes to your main water line, you definitely need to act quickly. If you do not, the cost of the repairs will increase exponentially, and you’ll end up paying a lot more for the repairs in the future. In some of the worst-case scenarios, the damage will be so beyond repair that there may be nothing that you can do.

In these situations, you’ll be forced to replace the entire main water line despite what you may have wanted to do.

Call Us for Plumbing Services in Arlington, TX

It can be difficult to notice and diagnose water line leaks. Since the water line is installed in a place that is not easy to see, many minor water line leaks are left unnoticed for long periods of time. They easily hide under the radar. Many homeowners have no idea that there’s a leak until something drastic happens.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth provides all types of plumbing services, from water line repairs to drain cleaning services. Our plumbers are licensed and insured and are committed to providing an unsurpassed level of care. We also have years of experience under our belts, so we can provide you with multiple solutions to choose from when faced with a problem that requires a water line repair.

Call us at 817-983-7876 to schedule water line repair services in Arlington, TX.