Water Line Repair and Replacement in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The water line is the underground pipe that carries water from the meter to your house. When it leaks, you may see a wet lawn, hear nothing at all, and still pay for every gallon.
Wet spot near the meter?
Note whether the meter moves with the house valve closed. Tell the dispatcher what you found.
(754) 320-541224/7 emergency lineWhat the water line is, and why it matters
Water enters your property through a meter box near the street. From there, a buried pipe runs to the house. That pipe is the water line, also called the service line. It is a different job from plumbing inside the walls, so it has its own page. For leaks inside the house, start with leak detection. For replacing supply pipes in walls, see repiping.
Ownership matters. The utility normally owns the meter, and the property owner is responsible for the pipe from the meter to the house. Call your water provider first if you are unsure where responsibility changes.
Signs the underground line is leaking
What to watch for
- The meter moves with the house main valve closed.
- A soggy strip, a sunken patch or a greener line of grass between the meter and the house.
- Low pressure, or pressure that drops through the day.
- Cloudy or discolored water after the line has been repaired or disturbed.
- A water bill that rises with no change in use.
- The sound of rushing water near the meter box.
Closing the house valve is the key test. If the meter still moves, the leak sits on the line between the meter and the house.
Irrigation can mimic these signs, since sprinkler lines often tap in near the meter. Shut off the irrigation supply and repeat the test before assuming the main line is the problem.
How the line is found and fixed
- Confirm the leak is on the lineA pressure test isolates the pipe between the meter and the house valve.
- Locate the breakAcoustic listening and the path of the pipe narrow it to a short stretch. A locator marks the route if it is not known.
- Dig, trench or pullA small spot dig repairs one break. Trenching or a trenchless pull replaces the full run.
- Test and restoreThe new line is pressure tested before backfilling, and the contractor restores the surface as agreed.
| Situation | Usually best | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One clean break in a newer line | Spot repair | The rest of the pipe is sound |
| Several breaks on one line | Replace the run | More failures are likely |
| Old galvanized or brittle plastic | Replace the run | The material wears out as a whole |
| Line under a driveway or slab | Trenchless pull where possible | Avoids cutting hard surfaces |
| Roots or nearby digging caused the break | Spot repair, then reroute if repeated | Remove the cause as well as the break |
Trenchless methods pull a new pipe through the old path with minimal digging. They suit driveways and landscaping, though not every line qualifies. Ask the contractor whether your route allows it.
Share the meter reading and the wet spot location. The dispatcher will line up a visit.
Low pressure, no water, or a notice from the utility
Not every service line problem starts as a puddle. Three other signs send people to this page.
Pressure falls across the whole house
If every faucet is weak, the issue is often before the house plumbing branches. A leak in the line, a partly closed valve or a corroded pipe can all cut flow. A pressure reading at an outdoor spigot helps separate them.
The utility says there is a constant leak
Some owners learn about a leak from a letter or a call from the water department. That notice usually means the meter shows steady flow. Do the meter test, then call. The first job is to find which side of the meter the water is leaving from.
No water at all
Check that the house valve and the meter valve are open. Ask neighbors whether their water is off too. If only your house is dry, a failed line or a closed valve is likely. Say so on the call.
Local factors that shape the job
Groundwater in Broward County sits close to the surface. A trench can fill with water as it is dug, which slows work and changes the method. Sandy soil moves easily, but it also collapses unless it is shored. Ask the contractor how they handle both.
Permits depend on the city and the scope. Fort Lauderdale routes plumbing permits through its Development Services Department, and the contractor files them. Utility connections near the meter may require the water provider's approval, so confirm who must be present for the work.
What changes the cost of water line work
- Length of the run
- A short line costs less than one that crosses a long front yard.
- Depth and surface
- Lawn, landscaping, concrete and pavers each change restoration work.
- Pipe material
- Copper, polyethylene and PEX are priced and installed differently.
- Method
- Spot repair, open trench and trenchless pull vary a lot in price.
- Permits and inspection
- Replacement work may need a permit and a final inspection.
Ask for a written scope that includes surface restoration. Cost depends on the job, so no price range is listed here.
Questions people ask before they call
In most places the utility owns the meter and the property owner is responsible for the pipe from the meter to the house. Confirm with your water provider.
Close the house main valve and watch the meter. If it still moves, the leak is between the meter and the house.
Sometimes. Trenchless methods pull a new pipe through the old route, though access and soil have to allow it. Ask the contractor if your property qualifies.
It depends on length, depth and method. Ask the contractor for a schedule, including time for permits, inspection and restoring the surface.
Often only for the meter and the connection point. The contractor should say whether the provider must shut off or inspect the work.
Yes, because the meter counts every gallon that passes, even water lost underground. Review the city adjustment rules on the leak detection page.
Cost depends on the length, the depth, what sits above the pipe and the method used. Ask for a written scope that includes restoration of the surface.
Confirm it with a meter test with all fixtures off. If the meter moves with the house valve closed, the leak is on the line, and a plumber can locate it.
Sometimes. A short repair costs less now, but old pipe may fail again nearby. Ask the contractor to compare a repair with a full replacement.
It can be. Corrosion, a partly closed valve or a leak can all cut pressure. A plumber can measure pressure before choosing a fix.
Suspect the line from the meter?
Call with your meter reading and the location of the wet spot. The dispatcher will explain the next step.