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There are a lot of things that you don’t think about until you are a homeowner. Even once you are a homeowner you probably still don’t think about a lot of things, because your home has a lot of systems to manage outside of daily tasks and family matters. However, if you aren’t careful certain plumbing emergencies can sneak up on you and catch you off-guard. One of these things is water line repair. It is easy to take your water line for granted, but if it quits sending water into your home or floods your basement you will recognize just how important water line repair is really quick.

What Is Your Main Water Line?

If plumbing is not your forte, it may be helpful to first isolate the purpose of your main water line. As the name implies, the main water line is responsible for bringing water from the street into your home. It runs back to the municipal water source and offers you access to fresh water that is safe to consume and shower in. Any time you turn on a faucet or jump in the shower the water that comes out is sourced from the main water line. If anything goes wrong with you, you will immediately notice your water pressure decrease or your water supply disappear.

Although the water line runs from the city water supply into your home, if something goes wrong you will be responsible for paying for water line repair in Arlington, TX. Since the piping is buried deep under the ground, the price tag attached to water line repair can be rather staggering. For this reason, you want to stay ahead of it and make sure that there are any issues you have time to prepare for water line repair.

The best way to do this is by being familiar with your water line and knowing what is normal and what is not normal when it comes to water flow into your home. The following is a brief look at water line repair and the most common signs that your water line might need to be repaired. This is not a job that you should attempt to handle on your own, so if you notice any of these signs you need to make sure that you call a plumber right away.

Common Signs That You Need a Water Line Inspection

The EPA estimates that a stunning 90 gallons of water are wasted every day because of waterline links that are undetected. As many as one out of every ten homes has a water line leak that they are unaware of. This is why if you think you may need water line repair you should trust your gut feeling and hire an Arlington, TX plumber to take a look. Unfortunately, it usually doesn’t stop with just one leak. Most of the time one leak turns into two leaks or the entire line bursts and you have to replace it.

However, if you are aware of what the signs are that you need water line repair, there is the chance that you could catch it while it is still just a leak and avoid the replacement. Catching a leak before the situation sours can save you thousands of dollars, and is well worth your time. These signs are what you need to be cognizant of if you hope to one day catch a leak in your water line before it turns into an emergency.

Water Puddles

On a rainy day, there is nothing better than jumping in puddles in your yard (if you are under the age of ten that is). However, if you notice the kids are jumping in muddy puddles and it hasn’t rained in Arlington, TX in a week you may have a much bigger issue on your hands than just muddy kids. Water spots in a yard that is otherwise dry or next to neighbors’ yards that are completely dry indicate that you may have a leak in your water line. The water is seeping out of your water line and is being pulled to the surface by the sun.

Depending on where the leak is along your water main you may notice the water flowing back into the street in front of your home which is also not a great sign. If the water is flowing into the street then it is considered a hazard and you will need to call someone for help with water line repair right away so you don’t end up getting cited on top of dealing with a plumbing emergency. On the other hand, if the leak is closer to the end of your water main you may notice leaking or puddling water under the lowest floor drains or sinks.

Noises from Outside of Your Home

If you think the ground is starting to talk to you either you have had too much coffee for the day, or you have a problem with your water line. While you cannot always see signs that you need water line repair, you can sometimes hear them once they become more pronounced. Signs that something is going on with your water main include whistling, hissing, and bubbling. Sometimes if there is a large leak that is causing a buildup of pressure you could also hear gurgling or banging. Clearly, your yard should never make any of those sounds on its own, so if you hear any of them you should contact a plumber and turn off the water main if you know how to.

As a side note, the one thing that you should check before running to call a plumber is whether the sound is coming from your outdoor AC unit first. On occasion, if something is going wrong with your outdoor unit or something is blocking the fan it will make a banging or a whistling sound as well. If the sound is not from your AC unit then it is time to call the plumber, but if it is clearly coming from the unit then you will actually need an HVAC technician instead.

Water Damage on the Foundation or Walls of Your Home

If your water line has been leaking for quite some time, there is a good chance that there is damage starting to emerge around your foundation. You may want to inspect your foundation and look for water marks that indicate the presence of water. While initially water may be pulled into puddles, it will start to gravitate towards your home since the ground usually slants towards homes that are dug out as it is looking for a pathway. Small cracks in your foundation or basement walls that never caused a problem before will change once tons of water start to lean against them.

If you are experiencing flooding in your basement and you can’t figure out the source, then there is a good chance that your main water line may be the culprit. Other signs that there is leaking inside of your home that you are not aware of include water stains on your basement or first-floor walls. If you have paint or wallpaper against the walls then you might notice it is starting to peel or bubble up from the constant water draining against it. Keep in mind that added moisture means an added chance for mold growth, and given the high humidity levels of Arlington, TX it doesn’t take long for mold to grow.

Sudden Drop in Water Pressure in Your Home

There are a lot of plumbing problems that may account for a drop in water pressure, but if the problem is not isolated to one room or one fixture then there is a good chance it is coming from a leaking water line. The first thing you should do when you notice your water pressure dropping is to check multiple faucets in several rooms. If you notice the problem is isolated to one room, there is most likely a clog and you should call the plumber to come to investigate.

However, if the drop in water pressure is consistent across your home then you probably need water line repair because water is likely leaking out. The leak is responsible for stealing the natural pressure and is the reason that your water now appears to be tinkling out of your faucets. Not only is this not pleasant to deal with, but it will make cleaning anything in your home from the dishwasher to the laundry machine to even yourself in the shower impossible.

Mold Is Popping Up Around Your Home

We mentioned mold briefly when talking about flood damage, but it deserves its own mention because mold growth is a serious problem that needs to be addressed swiftly and cannot be understated. As mentioned it is very humid in Arlington, TX and it doesn’t take much pooling water to spur the growth of mold and mildew alongside the foundation of your house. If you are lucky it will stay outside, but if there are any leaks then the mold will grow inside your home as well.

Mold spores are extremely hazardous to your health and can compromise your breathing and in some people even cause allergic reactions. Those who suffer from asthma and/or allergies oftentimes have even more problems associated with mold. It is important to realize that mold is growing because you need water line repair because removing it won’t do anything if you don’t have the issue addressed. It will simply grow back again and you will find yourself in the same spot breathing mold spores before you realize they are once again present in your home.

Issues That Arise from a Damaged or Leaking Water Line

Due to the inconvenience and the costs of water line repair, a lot of people ponder if they can wait on it or not, but there are a lot of issues that make it very important that you immediately address the issue starting with the fact that a high water bill is going to cost you even more money. Even if your water line is only damaged right now, eventually it is going to sprout a leak at which point you will be paying to essentially dump water into your front yard. If you are going to spend money, it should be on the water line repair.

Another big problem with avoiding water line repair is that dust, dirt, insects, and other contaminants can enter your water supply. A leak goes both ways, and not only will water leak out, but dirty things can leak into the water that you drink, cook, and wash with. This is not something that you want to subject your family to for any length of time, and the possibility of infiltration is endless.

In addition, water has to go somewhere and if you continue to allow it to leak into your yard eventually it is going to leak into your home which will result in a lot of mold problems and water damage. The only thing more expensive than water damage mediation is mold remediation. With this in mind, taking care of water line repair promptly is actually the best way to save yourself some money even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time. Waiting will only turn your water line repair into a crisis instead of just an unscheduled burden.

Do you think that you have an issue with your water line that needs to be inspected right away? Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth regularly helps Arlington, TX residents with their water line repair and can schedule a time for an inspection right away if you give us a call.