Professional Main Water Line Installation for Your Home
A main water line installation requires locating and connecting to the municipal or well water source and usually pulling the correct city permits. It also requires safely excavating around other buried utility lines like gas, electric, and sewer lines.
From the initial diagnosis through to the final inspection, Thermo Direct’s licensed plumbing technicians handle every stage of the water line installation process.
When Is a New Main Water Line Needed?
It helps homeowners to know the situations that call for a new main water service line installation.
- Older homes: Homes built before the 1970s, like ones in Oakwood and Cameron Park, used galvanized steel piping which naturally corrodes from the inside out and restricts water flow.
- Root intrusion: The Triangle Area is full of old-growth trees that have roots that love to invade through tiny holes in piping systems.
- Shifting soil: Ground shifting, due to a freeze-thaw cycle, can completely knock pipes out of their positioning.
What Is the Difference Between the Main Water Line and Interior Plumbing?
A main water line connects directly to a municipal connection point, usually near the street and then to the meter. The water line from meter to house connects to the interior plumbing system.
The interior plumbing system consists of smaller supply lines, drains, and vents that move water throughout the house to your individual fixtures like sinks, showers, and appliances.
How Do You Know Whether the Existing Water Line Needs Replacement?
There are four warning signs that point to needing a water line replacement.
- Discolored water: Look out for rust-colored or brownish tints. These are both strong signs of an old, deteriorating galvanized steel line.
- Low water pressure: If your water pressure drops gradually, it usually means the narrowing of the inner wall of your main line piping.
- Spikes in your water bill: This points to an underground line leak that isn’t visible above ground.
- Lush grass patches: These lush or soggy patches mean water is escaping from the main line.
Look out for rust-colored or brownish tints coming from your fixtures.
These are strong signs of an old, deteriorating galvanized steel line.
If water pressure drops gradually, the problem may be inside the line itself.
This usually means the inner wall of the main line piping is narrowing.
Spikes in Your Water Bill
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A sudden increase in water costs can point to a hidden issue underground.
This often signals an underground line leak that is not visible above ground.
Pay attention to unusually green, lush, or soggy spots in the yard.
These patches can mean water is escaping from the main line.
When to take action: If you notice one or more of these warning signs, it may be time to have your existing water line evaluated for replacement.
Our experienced Thermo Direct plumbers will assess the condition of your pipes using a high-powered camera, leak detection, and pressure testing equipment.
Should the Water Line Be Repaired or Replaced?
An experienced plumber will assess the condition of your main water line before recommending whether or not to repair or replace it. For example, an isolated leak will only need a localized repair.
If your line has had multiple leaks or is more than 40 to 50 years old, made of galvanized steel, replacement is the most cost-effective solution.
What Pipe Materials Are Used for Underground Water Lines?
There are three main materials used for an underground water line installation in the Triangle Area.
PEX
PEX (short for cross-linked polyethylene) is a flexible plastic piping material resistant to corrosion, freezing damage, and hard water mineral buildup. It is currently considered the best pipe for underground water lines.
Polyethylene or approved plastic water-service pipe
In newer buildings, polyethylene or another approved plastic water service pipe can be used and is highly compatible with trenchless installation methods.
Copper
Copper is extremely durable and resistant, and remains a trusted option for main water lines. The main water line installation cost is higher than PEX and polyethylene, due to the changing market value of copper.
Trenching vs. Trenchless Water Line Installation
The classic way to do a residential water line installation is by digging up a trench, often in the yard or driveway, and adding the new line.
Trenchless water line installation uses methods like pipe bursting or pipe lining to install a new line with only a small access point at each end. There is no huge excavation of the landscape, and it is often faster than traditional digging.
