Water meter and supply piping with shutoff valves

Water lines & quality

Main water line repair

Yes, plumbers repair and replace the water service line between the meter and your house. Signs of a leak include a wet or sunken spot in the yard, a pressure drop, and a meter that moves when all water is off.

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At a glance

Common sign
Soggy strip in the yard between meter and house
First step
Confirm

The water line from the meter to the house is usually the homeowner's responsibility. Older homes may have galvanized or polybutylene service lines that are due for replacement.

Main Water Line Repair at a glance

What it is: Yes, plumbers repair and replace the water service line between the meter and your house.
Service category: Water lines & quality
Related: Leak Detection, Low Water Pressure Diagnosis, Pipe Repair & Repiping

Signs you need main water line help

Soggy strip in the yard between meter and house
Sudden drop in whole-house water pressure
Meter moving with everything off
Discolored water at every fixture

The visit

What a main water line repair visit involves

1
Confirm
Meter test and shutoff test to confirm the leak is on the service line.
2
Locate and plan
Locate the line, call 811 for utility marking, choose repair vs. replacement.
3
Repair or replace
Excavate at the leak or replace the full run, trenchless where feasible.

What affects the cost of main water line repair

Line length and depth
Obstacles — driveway, trees, walkways
Repair vs. full replacement
Permit and restoration

Check main water line repair coverage near you

Use your location or ZIP code to see whether main water line repair is covered where you are, and the nearest service area.

Location is only used to find the service area nearest you. It stays on your device and isn't stored.

Water actively leaking, overflowing or backing up? That's a job for 24-hour emergency service, not a scheduled visit.

Main Water Line Repair: common questions

Do plumbers repair water lines?

Yes. Licensed plumbers repair and replace the service line from the meter to the house. The water utility handles the meter and the line on their side of it.

Who is responsible for the water line to my house?

In most areas the homeowner is responsible for the service line from the meter to the house, and the water utility owns the meter and the line on the street side of it. Check with your utility for the exact boundary.

What are signs of a broken main water line?

A wet or sunken strip of yard between the meter and the house, a sudden drop in water pressure, discolored water, and a meter that moves with all water off.

Can a main water line be replaced without digging up the yard?

Often, yes. Trenchless methods pull a new line through the old path or bore a new one, needing only small access pits at each end, depending on soil, depth and obstacles.

Who owns the water line from the meter to the house?

In most systems, the property owner. Charlotte Water, for example, treats leaks beyond the meter outlet as the customer's responsibility and leaks at the meter as its own.

How do I confirm the leak is on the service line?

Close the main shutoff at the house and watch the meter. If it still moves, the leak is between the meter and the house.

Sources: Charlotte Water Cares: leak adjustment policy; NC811: homeowner guide. Prices are national estimates, not quotes.

Service area

Main Water Line Repair across the Charlotte metro

Leak Detection

Plumbers find hidden leaks by isolating sections of plumbing and testing them, then pinpointing the spot with acoustic listening, thermal imaging and moisture meters — so only a small, targeted opening is needed for the repair..

Learn more