Water leaks are a problem for any home, but they can be especially problematic when the leak is outside.
It’s important to know who is responsible for water leaks outside your house. If you have a leak in your home, you are probably wondering how much it will cost to fix the problem and who should foot the bill.
On average, homeowners pay about $1,200 when they call someone to fix an outdoor leak. This number varies depending on where the leak is located.
If it’s just a small area of water with no damage caused to the surrounding area, then this type of repair can cost around $50-$150. On the other hand, major repairs like foundation cracks or pipe problems may cost several thousand dollars!
Water leaks can happen anywhere. You may not even know you have a problem until your water bill skyrockets out of control, or the street gets flooded after it rains.
But who is responsible for fixing the leak outside?
The answer varies depending on where the leak is located and what caused it.
As a general rule of thumb, if the leak is found to be between your water meter and house then you are responsible for repairing it.
But if it’s found that the leak is between the water meter and the city’s main water line – then the responsibility falls on your local water department to fix the problem.
What To Do If You Have A Water Leak Outside
The first step to take when you suspect or notice that there’s a problem with your outdoor pipes is to try to identify where it’s coming from, if you can.
Of course, if you cannot then we recommend that you call in a professional plumber to help you.
Now, if you are able to determine that the leak is between your water meter and your house – then you know that it is your responsibility to fix the problem.
The types of things that could be causing an outdoor leak include:
- Clogged gutters
- Clogged downspouts
- Poor soil drainage
- Tree roots damaging pipes
It may also be that the problem is actually at a neighbor’s yard but you are getting the residual effects.
Either way – if you cannot fix the cause of your leaks then we strongly recommend to call in a plumber.
But if you’ve determined that the leak is between your water meter and the city’s main water line then the responsibility of fixing the problem falls on your local water company.
We recommend that you contact them immediately and notify them of the situation.
Local water departments near the Atlanta, Ga.
American Water Services – 706-348-6215 – https://americanwtr.com/
City of Atlanta Department of Water – 404-546-0311 – https://www.atlantawatershed.org/
Clayton County Water Authority – 770-960-5200 – https://www.ccwa.us/
Cobb County Marietta Water Authority – 770-514-5300 – https://ccmwa.org/
Cobb County Water System – 770-419-6200 – https://goo.gl/LdgzqV
Dekalb County Water and Sewer Service – 404-378-4475 – https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/
Douglasville Water Department – 770-949-7617 – https://www.ddcwsa.com/
Forsyth County Water Department – 770-781-2160 – https://www.forsythco.com/
Fulton County Water Department – 404-612-6830 – https://www.co.fulton.ga.us/
Gwinnett County Water Resource – 678-376-6700 – https://goo.gl/KxLNbP
Paulding County Water Department – 770-222-6868 – https://goo.gl/yyeLRW
Walton County Water and Sewer – 770-466-4887 – https://goo.gl/g268E1
Water Service Division – 770-640-3040 – https://www.alpharetta.ga.us/
How Do You Find An Underground Water Leak Outside?
Even if you see obvious signs like a pool of water, it does not necessarily mean that the leak is in that location.
So, here are the steps to follow to find an underground water leak.
You need to determine if the leak is coming from some outdoor plumbing, an outdoor spigot or your irrigation system.
To test if it’s coming from your irrigation system:
- Make sure there is no running water (all faucets are turned off, dishwasher or washing machine are not running).
- Turn off the water supply to your irrigation system.
- Check your water meter. If it’s not running, then you know that the leak is coming from your sprinkler system.
Check your outdoor spigots:
- If water is leaking from around the handle or the faucet, you may just have to replace a washer or tighten the retaining nut that is under the handle.
Check pools of water in the yard:
- Areas in your yard with pools of water may have a broken pipe underneath them.
- Digging around these areas to expose the pipes may show you the damaged pipes that require repair.
- Or, you may have to dig more and follow the pipes and any stream of water to find the damaged portion or portions that require repair or replacement.
How To Fix A Water Leak In The Yard
Fixing an underground water leak in your yard is not an easy task and requires quite a bit of labor intensive work as well as some equipment to make the job more accurate and easier.
Professional plumbers use leak detection devices and have the experience.
The easiest solution is to call in a professional plumber who can use their leak detection devices to identify where the leak is and then of course, correct the problem.
Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful. If you have any questions about water leaks outside, or if you want a professional to take care of them for you, contact us! We offer free estimates and dependable service at competitive rates.
If you have any questions about outdoor water leaks or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.