Main water entry
Water service line repair and lead line replacement
The pipe that brings water from the street into your house: leak repair, replacement, and replacing old lead or galvanized lines on your side of the property line.
Your water service line is the underground pipe that carries water from the utility's main in the street to your house, usually ending at a shutoff valve and meter. Because it is buried, a problem often shows up as a symptom inside the house first: low pressure at every tap, a water bill that jumps with no change in use, a meter that keeps moving when everything is off, dirty or discolored water after work on the street, or a wet, soft patch of ground between the street and the house.
Many homes in DC, Maryland and Virginia still have older service lines made of lead or galvanized steel. Lead is the main concern, because it can get into drinking water. Utilities are required to inventory these lines and replace the ones they own, and many have programs for the homeowner's side. You can look your address up with your utility (for example, DC Water's Lead Free DC map or WSSC Water's "What's Your Pipe Type" map). Ask the utility or a licensed plumber to confirm what material your line is.
What we do. We locate the line, find where it is leaking or failing, and repair or replace the part that belongs to you, from the property line or meter to the house. For a lead or galvanized line, that means replacing the customer-side pipe with modern copper or plastic water piping that is approved for drinking water. We explain the options, and we pull the permit where one is required.
Programs and approvals. Some utility programs only cover work done by contractors on their approved list, and some will not pay for work that began before approval. In DC, for example, the private-side replacement program requires an approval letter and an approved contractor. Before you hire anyone, including us, check the program's current rules with the utility. Rules, funding, and contractor lists change.
What affects the cost. The length of the line, how deep it is, whether it runs under a driveway, sidewalk or tree roots, how the old line is connected at the meter, permits and utility inspections, and the surface that has to be restored. Programs that cover the cost change from year to year. We give a written quote after the line has been located.
Questions we hear
How can I tell what my service line is made of?
Look at the pipe where it comes into the house, near the meter or main shutoff. Lead is dull gray and soft, galvanized steel is gray and attracts a magnet, and copper is brown. For a reliable answer, check your utility's online inventory and ask the utility or a licensed plumber to confirm. Do not scrape or file a pipe hard to test it.
Who is responsible for which part of the line?
It varies by utility. At WSSC Water, for example, the utility replaces the portion it owns and the homeowner owns the customer side. Ask your utility where responsibility changes at your address.
I have a lead line. What should I do about the water in the meantime?
EPA advice is to use a filter certified to remove lead and replace the cartridge on schedule, and to run the tap before drinking if water has been sitting in the pipes. Do not run hot water through the filter.
Should I replace my side if the utility is replacing theirs?
Replacing only part of a lead line is not ideal, so ask the utility how its work is scheduled and whether the customer side can be done at the same time. Notify the utility before you replace your side privately, because reimbursement is not guaranteed.
How do I know my service line is leaking?
Turn off every tap and appliance and check the water meter. If it keeps moving, there is a leak somewhere between the meter and the fixtures. A wet spot between the street and the house points to the service line itself.
Where we do this work
We serve homes across DC, Maryland and Virginia. Find your city for local notes on your water utility and rebates.
Water on the floor, or a question first?
Call and we will tell you what is likely going on. Or send the details and we will call you back.
Emergency calls answered 24/7.