What causes main water line leaks?

High water pressure may feel nice, but excessive or uneven pressure can strain your pipes. Most pipes and faucets can only withstand up to a specific level of water pressure. Any extra pressure could cause leaks. If you feel concerned about your water pressure, have a professional measure the pressure.

Is my main water line leaking?

Frequently the 1st sign of a water main leak is not a drop in pressure, or water gushing up from the ground. In most cases the 1st sign of a water line leak is a rumbling sound on the pipes inside your house. This is typically most noticeable at night when the house is quiet.

Is it normal to have a main water line leak?

It may help you to avoid unnecessary repairs, or an inaccurate assessment of the problem. A frequent misconception is that every main water line leak will result in a corresponding loss of water pressure. Actually even if a water main repair is needed, it is quite unusual to have a loss of pressure.

What are the signs of a water leak in a condo?

Signs of a pipe leak include a foul or musty odor, water spots on walls and the presence of black mold. If there are enough leaks in the building, water pressure may also be compromised. Leaks can pose a repair problem for condos because most pipes are located inside walls, which may be designated as a public wall or a wall shared by two units.

What are the symptoms of a sewer line leak?

Wet spots or mildew on your floors and walls are often one hint. You can read our full list of sewer line problem symptoms here; a few of them apply to water line leaks (namely numbers 8 and 9).

When to call a plumber for a water main leak?

It is also possible that the leak is from a neighboring house. You should always call a licensed plumber to confirm the source of the leak. Another common sign is a rumbling or hissing noise coming from the water main at the point of where the pipe enters the house.

What to do if your main water line is leaking?

The 1st step in testing for a water main leak is to close the valve on the house side of the meter. If all the dials on the meter completely stop moving that means that there is no longer any water running through the meter. The 2nd step to take is to drain out the house plumbing.

Is it normal to have a water main leak in Your House?

Actually even if a water main repair is needed, it is quite unusual to have a loss of pressure. Having a leak on a service line is no different than having a sink or other plumbing fixture running in your house. It typically does NOT result in a loss of pressure.

Where can you find a sewer line leak?

You can read our full list of sewer line problem symptoms here; a few of them apply to water line leaks (namely numbers 8 and 9). Remember, leaks are often located in hard to reach places, such as under a slab or buried in the lawn, hidden from view until they cause significant damage.

What happens if you have a water leak in your condo?

But if the water damage was a result of an adjoining unit’s overflow, you may be in for some trouble, because many condo associations are unlikely to become involved in what is known as unit-to-unit issues. For example, your neighbor’s pipe burst in his kitchen, resulting in water damage that also came to impact your own unit.