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.