Water Lines Repair in Birmingham, AL

Plumbing Services

plumbing, water lines repairWater Lines Repair: When you’re on a municipal water system, a main water line connects your home to the supply line on the street. Over time, this line can degrade, eventually causing leaks that require professional attention.

Many homeowners have concerns that water line repair will cause significant damage and disruption to their lawns and landscape, but that’s not always the case. Craftsman Plumbing in Birmingham, AL, works with clients to find the best solutions to water line leaks that respect their homes and budgets. We’re proud to provide the Birmingham region with fast, friendly, and cost-effective services that never compromise on quality.

At the first sign of an issue with your home’s water supply, call Craftsman Plumbing at (205) 202-3925 for help. Our team will find the problem and fix it fast to save money and stop property damage from getting worse.

Signs of needing a Water Lines Repair

How do you know there’s a leak in the main water line?

A damaged or leaking water line may be unnoticeable for a while, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a problem. In most cases, it doesn’t take long for signs of a leak to show up. Some of the most common indications of an issues include:

  • A sudden unexplained increase in water bills
  • The water meter spins or shows water consumption even when nothing’s running
  • Low water pressure from faucets and showerheads
  • Dirty-looking or discolored water
  • Odd odors in the water
  • Wet spots in the yard even when there hasn’t been any rain
  • Mushy or soft areas in the yard
  • Places where the ground swells or sinks in the yard
  • Hissing or bubbling sounds coming from the pipes in your home
  • Interior water damage, like water stains on the walls
  • Cracks in the foundation
  • Mold and mildew growth

Any time something feels “off” with your home’s water supply, call us to investigate and determine the source. Clean water is too important to leave to chance, and taking the time to fix a leaky pipe can protect your family’s health and well-being.

What Causes Damage to a Main Water Line

A main water line can sustain damage as the result of a multitude of issues. Even when made from materials designed for longevity, the pipe withstands a great deal of wear and tear over the years and can weaken, resulting in a leak.

The most common culprits include:

  • Deterioration due to age
  • Rust
  • Tree roots infiltrating the pipe
  • Damage from digging
  • Vibrations from construction or road work nearby
  • Sediment buildup inside the pipe
  • Incorrect installation
  • Bad seals and valves
  • Excessive water pressure
  • Soil shifting
  • Unusual weather conditions that put extra pressure on the pipes

Birmingham Main Water Line Repair and Restoration

Regardless of the cause, water line repair and restoration is a job for a professional. Not only is the work potentially dangerous — individuals can and have sustained injuries due to hand-digging trenches — but depending on the type of pipes, repairing them may be impossible or even illegal. Lead and galvanized metal pipes are no longer in use and are even prohibited in many places, so making repairs isn’t an option.

If repairs are possible, we have several ways to approach them.

Pipe Bursting

Instead of digging up and removing the old pipe, pipe bursting allows technicians to break it apart and create space for a new pipe. They then thread a new one into that space.

Epoxy Repairs

We can repair minor pipe cracks using epoxy without digging up the pipes. Using non-invasive detection methods, we locate the source of the leak and apply a durable epoxy that cures in place and lines the pipes to prevent further problems.

Horizontal Boring

Some plumbers can make underground water main repairs using horizontal boring to break up and remove the damaged sections of the pipe. Using a specialized camera, the technician can then guide the new water line into place and use an adhesive resin to line and seal it.

We’ll determine the best way to solve the water leak based on the specific damage to the line and the location of the pipes.

Water Line Replacement in Birmingham, AL

Upon discovering a water line problem, you might wonder if you should just replace the entire line instead of repairing it. Sometimes, a total replacement makes more sense, especially if it is particularly old. Homes built before 1960 may have lead or galvanized pipes; lead is a health risk, and galvanized metal corrodes over time, so investing in a water line replacement is a good choice.

Even pipes made from less fragile or risky materials are at risk for damage over time. The older the pipes get, the more fragile they become, and the more likely they will need repairs. Although repairs hold up for years, it’s usually better to replace a pipe that’s old and brittle and has undergone multiple remedies to ensure ongoing reliability.

It may also be necessary to invest in a replacement rather than water line repair when the leak is difficult to locate. When your home is set far back from the street, and the leak is small or difficult to detect, it may be necessary to dig up quite a bit of the yard. If this is the case, it might make more sense and be more cost-effective to simply replace the entire line at that point.

How Do We Replace a Main Water Line?

If we determine that the main water line needs replacing, we have two options:

  • Trenching: Although it’s falling out of favor because it requires digging up a significant portion of the yard, and there’s a risk of cutting other utility lines, trenching is still an option for replacing the entire pipe. We’ll dig out the existing pipe, remove it, and replace it with a new, modern one that can last up to 100 years.
  • Trenchless: This is a less disruptive approach that also lowers the cost of repairing a water line. Technicians only need to dig up a small portion of the line and then thread a slightly smaller pipe through the existing one, creating a new line. The new pipes will last decades without affecting the water line’s performance.

Many people have lived in their homes for decades without any trouble with the main water line. However, generally, a pipe needs replacing about every 70 years or sooner if it’s in poor condition or sustains damage.

Get Help From the Local Leaders in Water and Sewer Line Repair

The plumbers of Craftsman Plumbing have a passion for what they do, and it shows in the exceptional workmanship and quality we deliver on every job. Our technicians are constantly learning and developing their skills to ensure that every customer receives the highest level of service, an accurate diagnosis of the problem, and fast, expert repairs. From upfront work estimates of the cost to repair a water line to the reliable finished project, Birmingham residents know they can count on us for honest and professional service.

If you suspect you need water line repair, need us to fix a leaky pipe, or have any other plumbing emergency, call us at (205) 202-3925 for prompt assistance. Don’t settle for just any plumber — call a craftsman.