What To Do If There Is A Water Main Break?

Questions and answers about water main breaks

We have put together the most common questions and provided answers concerning water main breaks for you.

Who is responsible for a water main break?

That will depend on where the break is located. It will either be the homeowner or the city. Generally, the city will take care of it if the leak is before the water meter. The homeowner is responsible for anything from the meter into the house.

How to do a water main repair

If you have never done a water main pipe repair it is best to leave it to professionals. It will save you money and a headache to let the professionals take care of the problem.

Is a broken water main covered by homeowners insurance?

The majority of homeowner’s insurance is set up to cover things like leaking pipes inside the house. A water main is outside the house and therefore there is not covered by your homeowners insurance. The best way to know is to contact your insurance agent and ask.

How long does it take to fix a broken water main?

It can take a few hours to a few days depending on the size of the break, where the break is located, and the environment.

Is it safe to shower after a water main break?

Yes, you can safely shower or wash laundry after a water main break. However, you should not ingest the water after a break without boiling it first. Generally, the city will issue a boil advisory for the water and tell you how long you need to do that. The city will test the water in several places to make sure that it is safe before removing the boil advisory.

How much does it cost to fix a water main?

The cost to fix a water main break is dependent on the area in which you live and the severity of the damage. Unfortunately this means water main repair could be expensive. This is especially true if the city feels you caused damage by not properly caring for the area of your property where the water main is located.

Can you prevent water main breaks?

You cannot stop all water main breaks but you can do prevention to help reduce the chances.

Here are prevention tips to avoid water main breaks

1. Watch where you are digging. If you are adding a deck, patio, or burying a line for outside lights know where your water main is before digging. For that matter, know where your water lines, water main, and your electric and cable lines are so you will not hit them causing them to break.
2. If you have a drop in water pressure; investigate it immediately. Look for leaks or broken pipes in your home and basement. Be sure to check all your bathrooms, the laundry room, and your kitchen for leaking water. If there are no leaks inside begin searching outside.
3. If you notice soil erosion on your property or exposed pipes call the city right away. They can help you determine the best way to handle the erosion, or what to use to cover the pipes with so they do not freeze during winter.

If your water main is broken, do not panic! You got this. Just follow the list below to take control of the situation.

1. Call your city water management authority. They will send someone to assess if it is their problem to fix or yours.
2. The next call should be to a plumber. Your local plumber will know how to deal with the problem and will have the proper water pipe repair fittings.