Key Facts to Know About Water Main Breaks

Water main breaks are not something that any homeowner ever wants to experience. Unfortunately, breaks can happen. When the water main breaks on your property, you need to make sure you take the right steps to get repairs done right away and to get the repairs done right. You cannot just get any plumber to deal with fixing a water main break, you need to make sure you get someone who knows how to work with water mains. 

Key Facts to learn About Water Main Breaks
Water main breaks happen for lots of different reasons. One big issue is that the water main gets old. Piping and plumbing aren't meant to last forever and as time passes, deterioration occurs.  Water pressure increases and decreases; adverse conditions with corrosive soil; stray electrical currents; and movement of the ground can all make it more likely that a water main will end up breaking.  Freezing and thawing of soil tend to make a lot of ground movement occur, so if the water main is not installed below the frost line, this too is going to increase the chances of a water main break.

When a water main does break, the key to getting it repaired is first to make sure that there are no other underground lines in the immediate vicinity which could be damaged when efforts are made to dig up the water main. Water mains are under the ground, and you do not want to hit underground sewer lines, or gas or electrical lines when digging to do the repairs.

After hazards are identified, the next step is to drill into the ground in order to access the water main and identify the break or leak in the main.  Water can travel along under the ground, so you cannot assume that the spot where the water is coming out is necessarily the spot where the water main break is. The water main break could be difficult to find, depending upon the break location and on how far the water is traveling.

After the leak is found, the nature of the break has to be assessed. A determination has to be made if the problem is with a valve or if the problem is with a main pipe.  When the problem is identified, options for repair must be discussed.

In some cases, it is possible to just do a quick fix by using a sleeve to go around a leak. This can work under certain circumstances but it may not be an option or the best approach in a variety of cases where water main problems have happened.  In other situations, the best thing to do is to have the valve replaced that caused the problem or even sometimes to have a full section of piping removed.

Throughout this process of fixing a water main break, homeowners and property owners should be kept informed of developments. When you learn about the issues with your water main break during the repair process, you'll be better able to recognize and respond to problems in the future.

The Signs of a Broken Water Main

A broken water main is an emergency situation that must be corrected by a professional with experience in this type of serious problem. The average plumber may not have the knowledge, skills, background or tools necessary to deal with a broken water main.  You need to call in a company that specializes in these tough jobs to get your repairs done right.

So, how do you know when you need to call in a professional company specializing in water main repair? It is a good idea to know the signs of a broken water main so you can respond promptly and get the issue fixed correctly.

What are the Signs of a Broken Water Main?
Here are some of the key signs of a broken water main that you should be on the lookout for:

• A stream of water is the most common sign that there has been a break in your water main.  A stream of water does not always mean that the water main is leaking, especially because water tends to seek the weakest point and can flow through walls. A stream of water could be coming from your own pipe, or the leak could be coming from a neighbor’s house and the water may have ended up in your area because it took the path of least resistance. Still, a stream of water on the road outside your home, on the outside of your property or in the foundation wall is a big red flag that you may have a water main break. If you see a stream where one does not belong, call in a plumber for help.
• A rumbling or a hissing noise is also an indicator that you may have a leaking water main.  You should not hear any sounds from your water main unless there is a faucet turned on or unless something else in your home is actively using water at the moment. If all sources of water have been turned off and the water main is not being used, there should be no noise in the water pipe at all. If you hear a hissing or a rumbling noise in the water main even when nothing is running, this is an indicator that water is getting out somewhere in between the city water main that is located on the road and the pipes bringing the water into your home. You’ll need to call in a professional to find the source of the leak where water is getting out of the water main. 
• A loss of water pressure is a sign of a problem.  While there may be other causes of lost water pressure besides a leak or problem with the water main, you still need to get to the bottom of why your water is suddenly not coming out as strong.  A leak in the water main can reduce water pressure and is a very real possibility.

These are just a few of the key signs to be on the lookout for. As soon as you suspect problems with the water main, get help from a professional.

All About Water Mains

Water main is the term that refers to the connection to the city’s freshwater network. Every property is eligible fro a water mains connection after the city public works department is reasonably sure of the requirement of the property. 

A Bronx water main often comprise of a single connection that connects to the rest of the property’s network. This is where the problem lies. Many of these connections were laid down several decades ago. The traditional material for pipes in those days was cast iron, an ideal material for keeping the costs down. However, the other side of the low cost is that now after almost two decades, the life of these pipes is over. This is one of the leading costs of the broken or damaged water mains. This problem could be avoided, if property owners remember what could cause their water main to burst and what signs to watch out for. In several cases, the solution to the problem is as simple as exposing a section of the water main line and applying a patch. 

The city’s water supply is pumped at a relatively high pressure. This is an essential requirement for the process because the flow of water is dependent on the pressure in the line. A high pressure ensures that water reaches the farthest ends of the network. While the majority of the network is relatively recently laid, there are portions of Bronx water main network that are at the end of their serviceable life. These are the sections that often collapse and cause flooding and burst. 

When it comes to water mains, there are few things that everyone should aware of. The first and the most important is awareness about the pressure in the water mains delivery network. The second is the fact that water mains collapse problems are real emergencies and should be reported immediately.

Is Your Water Line Leaking?

If you suspect that your home is having plumbing issues, you will want to get it checked out right away. What starts out as a small plumbing problem can turn into a major issue in no time at all if not dealt with by a professional in a prompt manner. Then, what originally started out as a cheap, simple fix can cost you more than you originally expected. That’s why if there’s something wrong with your plumbing and pipes, such as strange noises, smells, or even if the water pressure seems unusually weak, you should act immediately to solve the problem and get your homes plumbing back to perfect working condition as soon as possible.

One of the most common types of plumbing issues, along with clogged toilets, are line leakages. Although you may sometimes not even be able to notice a leak in one of your pipes, visually at least, you will definitely be able to notice the change in your water bill. This will be due to the water that will continuously be flowing from the damaged line. Even if it’s just a small leak, over time, it will eventually cost you money. Not only that, but the crack that’s causing the leak has a great likelihood of expanding, which can create an even bigger problem.

There are a few main things that can cause your water lines to leak. These include:

• Ordinary wear and tear— if you live in an older home, it’s normal for your water lines to spring a few small leaks after years of use. A plumbing professional will be able to fix any old water lines quickly and easily. You can also be proactive with the maintenance of your home and have a plumber come out to your home every couple of years, before a problem arises, just to check and make sure everything is running smoothly.


• Trauma or damage to water lines— it’s not a big surprise that natural disasters like tornadoes and earthquakes can easily damage or crack your water lines. However, it’s important to realize that even if a natural disaster or other incident doesn’t directly touch or affect your home that you can see, your water lines run underground and can be damaged without you noticing right away.

• Freezing temperatures— when temperatures reach below freezing, it causes a lot of extra stress on your pipes. This can cause them to easily crack in places where it stays cold for long periods of time.

If you have a problem with you plumbing and you think it might be from a leak in one of your water lines, there are a few ways that you can try checking for yourself before calling a plumber.

1. Monitor your water bill. If you notice a steady incline, or simply that your water bill is more expensive than when you first moved in, this is a huge indicator of a leak somewhere.
2. Check the pressure of the water flow in all of your faucets. Weak streams, or faucets that sputter when turned on are also indicators of leaks.
3. Visually examine pipes to see if anything appears damaged or out of the ordinary. You can sometimes spot the cracks or damage with your own eyes.

By monitoring these signs, you can catch water line leaks early so they get taken care of in a timely manner.