Believe it or not, water main breaks are fairly common, but they are not the kind you see on the news, where rivers of water carry cars down the street. Most main line breaks are leaks that start out small and are not noticed until you have a big muddy spot in your yard.
The picture we have here is a recent repair of a water main at an apartment building in Maple Valley. A grounding rod that was improperly installed by the original building contractors has caused a slow leak. One that finally gave way to a full on break.
Obviously, water main breaks and leaks can cause major damage, but they can also be a drag on the old wallet. If you notice your water bill going up, for unknown reasons (other than teenagers), you may need to investigate for leaks. If the leak is persistent for any length of time, there’s a chance that your water company will tell you. However, if you suspect a leak, here are some symptoms to look for:
- Turn off your main water to the house / building. Go watch the water meter at the street. If it’s moving, even slightly, you may have a leak.
- Low Water Pressure or Volume – If there has been a noticeable drop in water pressure that is unexplained.
- Unusual muddy or wet areas – You may have noticed areas in your lawn that never seem to dry out or where water seeps out.
If you are at all suspicious of a leak, give us a call. We can help you work through some of the symptoms so you know whether it’s a problem or not.