Leaks have no place in your lawn
Whether it’s a wet patch of grass or a puddle near your sprinkler heads, realizing that you have a leak in your lawn is never fun. It’s best to hire a local plumber to take a look in situations like these. For some leaks, you might need to contact your water utility instead. Keep reading to learn who to call if your lawn has a water leak, depending on its location.
Fixing a leak often requires plumbing knowledge and specialized skills, which licensed plumbers can provide. You may also need to obtain a permit for the work, which a qualified professional will know how to handle.
By hiring a plumber, you can feel comfortable knowing that you have an expert on the job who can quickly identify and fix the water leak in your lawn—and spare you from a sky-high water bill. Even small leaks can release significant water over time—which is terrible news for your wallet and the environment. Plus, standing water in your lawn can damage your grass, promote weed growth, and attract pests.
When you consider these factors, hiring a plumber to fix your leaky lawn makes a lot of sense. On average, plumbers cost $45 to $200 per hour, and most people spend between $180 and $490 per service call.
Some water leaks are fairly easy to fix by yourself—as long as you know the leak’s source. For example, damaged irrigation valves are a common cause of lawn leaks. But while repairing a sprinkler valve is pretty straightforward, you don’t want to waste your time and money fixing the valve if you aren’t 100% certain that it’s the cause of the leak.
However, in other cases, repairing leaks isn’t so simple. This type of work often involves digging up lines, cutting and sealing pipes, or even dealing with hazardous waste (if it’s a sewer line break). Fortunately, plumbers have the expertise and training to handle these sticky situations.
If you get water from your local municipality (like your city or county), there are situations when you’ll need to contact them—rather than a plumber—to fix a leak.
Typically, your water utility will only deal with problems that occur between your water meter and the water main (the municipal-owned pipe in the street that supplies water to your service line). So, who is responsible for the water line from the street to your house? You are if it’s the portion of the line between the meter and your home. But if it’s between the meter and the water main, that will fall to your water company.
Let’s say you have a leak in the middle of your lawn. In that case, fixing it would be up to you (and hiring a plumber would be appropriate). However, if the leak is around the water main, it’s time to call your water company.
Not sure where the leak is coming from? Shut off your water supply and look at your meter. If it stops running after you turn off the water, there’s a problem with your water company’s lines. But if it keeps spinning, the leak is on your side.
If you figured out that your irrigation system is the source of your leak, you could hire a local sprinkler repair pro to fix it. However, if you don’t know where the leak is coming from, it’s better to hire a plumber because they can handle sprinkler issues as well as other plumbing-related problems.
Plumbing professionals can diagnose and repair all kinds of outdoor leaks, whether they come from your irrigation system, main water line, or sewer line. But first, they have to pinpoint the source of the leak.
To do so, your plumber will perform a few tests, which will likely include turning off your water supply and checking your water meter. The process for fixing the leak will vary depending on where it’s coming from, but plumbing pros will know how to patch up any type of leak.
From there, your plumber will let you know what needs to be fixed. Maybe you only need to swap out an irrigation valve or two, which is a simple sprinkler repair that costs as little as $13 (excluding labor). But if there’s major damage, your plumber might recommend replacing your irrigation system. On average, installing a new sprinkler system costs between $1,670 and $3,550.
If you’re trying to find a water leak outside your home, you’ll need to determine whether it comes from your irrigation system or main water service. Start by locating your irrigation box, shutting off the water to your sprinklers, and checking your water meter. If it keeps spinning after you turn off the water, there’s a leak in the main line. But if it stops spinning, your irrigation system is the source of the leak.
Water lines are buried at various depths, depending on the type of line. For example, most sprinkler lines are buried between four and 12 inches underground. On the other hand, water mains usually sit between one and 3 feet below ground. However, they can go even deeper in cold climates to prevent freezing.
You can use a water leak microphone to find an underground leak in your irrigation system. To do this, shut off the water to your system. Then, grab your sprinkler system’s map to get acquainted with the locations of your sprinkler heads, valve boxes, and water lines. Walk around these areas, waving the microphone’s sensory rod near the ground to detect the sound of water moving through your system.
