What the service line is
Between the street and your front door runs a buried pipe, usually plastic or copper. Part of it belongs to you. When it leaks, the water soaks away into the soil and rarely shows on the surface right away. Greer sits on Piedmont clay soil, which holds water, so a leak may stay hidden underground for longer. This guide is about the line outside the house. For leaks inside, see slab leak detection. For the overview of all options, see professional leak detection in Greer.
Signs of an underground leak
- A wet, soft or unusually green strip of lawn
- A sinkhole or sunken spot in the yard
- Low water pressure at every tap
- A meter that moves with the house shut off
- Water in the meter box when it is not raining
- The sound of rushing water near the meter
What causes it
Roots can crush or crack a pipe. Old galvanized steel rusts through. Soil shifts and puts stress on joints. Heavy vehicles or digging nearby can break a line. A freeze in winter is less common in the Upstate than farther north, but it can happen during a hard cold snap. Poor installation also shows up years later.
Do this before you call
Find your main shutoff valve and your meter. Close all taps. Read the meter, close the main valve at the house, and read again after two minutes. If the meter still moves with the house valve closed, the leak is outside. Photograph the wet spot and the meter. Share these with the provider.
How detection works
- A pressure or meter test confirms the loss.
- The technician traces the pipe route with a locator.
- Ground microphones listen for the sound of water escaping.
- Tracer gas may be used for stubborn leaks.
- The spot is marked and the repair is explained.
What repair can look like
A spot repair means digging a small hole at the break. If the line is old, the provider may suggest replacing it. Trenchless methods exist for some lines, but they do not suit every yard. Ask what the plan would disturb: grass, driveway, a sidewalk or landscaping. Get a written price.
Who is responsible?
The water utility usually owns the pipe up to the meter. The line from the meter to the house is normally the homeowner's. Check with your water provider if you are unsure where responsibility changes.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know it is the buried line and not the house?
Close the main valve at the house and watch the meter. If the meter still moves, the leak is on the buried side.
Will my water company fix it?
Usually only the part up to the meter. The rest is typically the homeowner's. Ask your water provider.
Do they dig up the whole yard?
No. Locators and ground microphones narrow the leak to a small area first.
Can tree roots cause leaks?
Yes. Roots can crush, crack or work into joints, especially on older pipes.
Is it urgent?
If water is surfacing or the meter is spinning fast, yes. Shut off the main valve and call.