Is it Better to Repair a Water Line or Replace It?

If we know where the leak is—meaning, there are obvious signs—then we are always going to expose the area and determine the cause. From there, we will make a recommendation for you to choose from. Some considerations that need to be taken into consideration when making this decision are:

• Locating the leak: Finding the source of the leak can be a very difficult process. Even when using specialized listening equipment, a leak in the yard where there are no signs of water is very complicated and sometimes impossible to find. Random exploratory excavation(s) is never a great option and can sometimes add up to become expensive compared to a full line replacement with a better, more durable product.
• Tracing the line: Is the underground line made of a material (copper) that our specialized equipment can be used to locate and mark or map? For leak detection equipment to work effectively, it is best to be directly over the line. If the pipe material is not conductive (plastic) then locating the line without significant effort may be problematic.
• Consider any major obstructions: It is fairly common to find that a large tree or sagging, sinking concrete is at least partially to blame for a water line leak and even more common for a sewer line break. Large trees, landscape features, driveways, and sidewalks all play a factor in the decision-making process about whether to repair or replace a main water line. Obstacles can impact the overall difficulty to locate the leak, make less intrusive spot repairs, and/or reroute the water line to avoid these areas. Obstructions and concrete also impact the labor costs and cost of excavation for both repairs and full line replacements.
• History of yard line leak repair: If the answer is yes, then a full replacement is probably the best option. Certain materials break down over time. In other cases, there may have just been a faulty installation with an inferior product. We have been to homes where multiple repairs were already made, and if you totaled all of the repairs it would exceed the cost to replace the entire line. That’s not to mention the peace of mind, hassle, and water quality/safety issues that go along with this process.
• Water line material type and age: Some materials are stronger and/or better suited for water line purposes. And some materials are just more prone to leaks and failures. In some instances, paying for a leak location and repair is a band-aid when a permanent superior option may be a better use of your money.