2 Signs Your Home's Main Water Line Needs Replacing

If you have noticed that the water pressure in your entire home has decreased significantly, you may be wondering whether or not there is a leak somewhere within your home. However, since the problem is affected every fixture in your house, there is a good possibility that the issue is being caused by the main water line that runs from the stop valve in the street to your home. If you suspect that this may be the case, look for a couple of other signs that will solidify your suspicions.

1.  Water-filled Channel Runs from Your House to the Curb Stop Valve

One sign for which you should be on the lookout when trying to determine whether your home's water pressure issue is being caused by a ruptured main water line is a collection of water in your yard. If the main pipe running from the curb stop valve in the street to your house has suffered damage, the water will collect in a fairly straight line between the two locations.

Because the main water pipe is leaking water into the surrounding soil, it will become saturated and soft. As the soil becomes inundated with moisture, it will make its way to the surface. And, because it has become soft from the moisture, the ground will start to sink, creating a water-filled channel.

2.  Water Coming Out of Your Faucets Appears Murky

Another sign that there is a problem with the main water line to your house is when you start noticing that the water coming out of the faucets has taken on a murky appearance. Along with the low pressure, the water may appear brownish in color. You may even see tiny specks of dirt when you hold a glass of water up to the light.

Just as the water is spewing out into the soil around the pipe, the openings in the line will allow for the displaced soil to infiltrate the supply. Since your water supply is contaminated, you need to have a professional check out the damaged line as soon as possible.

If your home's water is dirty and you have a pond forming in your yard, there is a good chance that the main water line has sustained damage and needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Contact a plumber in your area that offers water line installation services to have them verify the issue so that they can get to work with replacing the affected pipe with a new line.