Locate before you dig
Pressure testing and leak detection to pinpoint the problem first.
Signs Your Water Service Line Is Failing
A failing water service line doesn't always announce itself with an obvious flood. Watch for a noticeable drop in water pressure across the whole property, an unexplained rise in the water bill, a wet or unusually green patch of lawn along the line's path even in dry weather, or the sound of running water when every fixture is off. Any of these can point to a leak on the private portion of the line – the section the City doesn't maintain.
Diagnosing and Repairing a Water Main Leak
Locating the Leak
Pressure testing and leak-detection equipment pinpoint the leak before any digging starts.
Point Repair vs. Full Replacement
A single damaged section can often be spot-repaired; widespread corrosion may need replacement.
Access & Restoration
Depth and access affect timeline and cost – a lawn line differs from one under a driveway.
This is distinct from a frozen line, which is a seasonal blockage rather than physical damage – if your concern is a line that's frozen rather than leaking or broken, see our frozen and burst pipe page instead. Remember that the City maintains the water line only up to the shut-off valve; from there to the house, repair and cost are the homeowner's responsibility.
What Can Damage a Water Service Line
Age & Corrosion
Older metal lines corrode from the inside over decades.
Tree Root Intrusion
Roots seeking moisture can crack or infiltrate a line at joints.
Ground Shifting or Freezing
Frost heave and soil movement can stress or crack a buried line.
Why Ottawa Plumbing Experts for Water Main Repair
Repair sized to the damage
A spot repair where that's enough, full replacement where it isn't.
Commercial & residential
Single-family service lines and larger commercial supply lines.
Water Main Repair FAQs
How do I know if my water main is leaking?
Watch for a drop in water pressure, an unexplained rise in your water bill, a consistently wet or green patch of lawn along the line's path, or running water sounds when fixtures are off.
Is a water main repair my responsibility or the City's?
The City maintains the water line up to the shut-off valve; from there to your home, it's the homeowner's responsibility.
Do you have to dig up my whole yard to fix a water main leak?
Not always – we locate the leak first with pressure testing and detection equipment, which often narrows the repair to a single section rather than the full line.
Is this the same as a frozen pipe repair?
No – a frozen line is a seasonal blockage, while a water main repair addresses physical damage or a leak. See our frozen and burst pipe page if freezing is the issue.