Signs There Might be Trouble in Your Main Water Line

Chances are, if you are reading this, you have indoor plumbing. This means you have water coming into and out of your house via a main water line. This water line is crucial to the ongoing functionality of your plumbing, and if becomes damaged, it can cause one heck of a nightmare situation! However, there are often early warning signs that, if heeded early, can save you from truly catastrophic damage.  

Regular or severe clogs 

Clogs happen. Whether it be from hair building up in the shower or a toilet that suddenly decides not to flush, if you have plumbing, you are likely to experience clogs. But if you find yourself with clogs in multiple drains, or clogs that seem to be recurring more than feels normal, you should hire someone to check your main sewer line for blocks or damage. This can be an early sign of a problem that will only get worse.   

Noises 

It makes sense that water would be moving through these pipes – that is, after all, their purpose. But if you hear water constantly running through the pipes when no taps are turned on, that can be a strong indication that something is wrong in your water line. If you hear whistling, banging, or clanking (and your teenager’s band isn’t practicing in the garage), this is also a potential warning sign that something is wrong.  

Water pools or wet spots 

If you start to notice pooling in your backyard, or even spots where the lawn is more lush than usual or water coming through cracks in the sidewalk around your property, it can indicate a leak in the main line. Alternatively, if you notice damp drywall or pools of water inside, you want to take this very seriously. A leak is a bad thing, but it can lead to even worse things. Have a plumber check it out as soon as you notice unexplained water or wetness.  

Change in water pressure or quality 

If you are used to a pleasant blast of water in the morning and start to notice that it has started to lack power, this could be an indication of an issue with the main water line. Same goes with discoloration, smell, or texture (for instance, grittiness). Check if there is a loss of pressure or change in the water quality in other areas of the home. If the problem isn’t isolated to one tap, you should have your main line checked for an issue.  

Your utility bills are unexpectantly high 

If you notice that your water bill is higher without explanation, you should strongly suspect a leak. If you check your taps and toilet and don’t see any obvious leaks or running, your main water line should be inspected. The money lost through a leak is reason enough, but the damage that can occur from not acting quickly will be much worse.  

Replacing your main water line is expensive and disruptive. But noticing the signs early can save you the hassle and expense of also having to deal with the damage a leaking or broken water line will do. Don’t just ignore the signs and hope they go away.