You come home from work or an outing and head to your front door. Suddenly, as you cross the yard, you find yourself standing in ankle-deep water. It hasn’t rained recently, so what gives?
Unfortunately, such a scenario likely indicates a water main break. Should this happen, call us for water main repair before the flooding damages your home.
Grasshopper Heating & Cooling offers speedy water main repair in Albany, Saratoga Springs, and Clifton Heights. We’re on call 24/7 and will fix your burst water main no matter the time of day or night.
Signs You Need Water Main Repair
Water main pipes are buried below the ground, so it’s not always easy to tell if there’s trouble. Here’s how to know if it’s time to call us for water main repair.
Your Water Is Brown
If you turn on the tap and filthy-looking brown water comes out, that’s a surefire sign that you’ve got a water main problem. If your water main breaks, soil can get into your pipes, resulting in the dirt-colored water that you see coming out of your sink.
You’ve Got Bad Water Pressure
You can have poor water pressure in just one fixture, such as your shower, or all throughout your house. If it’s the latter, your city water main has a problem. It may be clogged with food debris, waste, or tree roots, which can cause a big drop in water pressure.
Your Water Bills Are Through the Roof
Your water bills are sky-high, and you seem to owe more every month. Before you blame your spouse or kids for taking excessively long showers, look for leaks.
Check for water around all of your fixtures, and look for wet spots on the floor, walls, and ceiling. If you find water and can’t tell where it’s coming from, you might have a water main leak.
Your Pipes Are Noisy
It goes without saying, but your pipes shouldn’t make rattling or banging noises. If your pipes sound like they’re haunted by an angry ghost, call us for water main repair.
Your Yard Looks Like a Swamp
Puddles of standing water in your yard are a big sign of a water main problem. Unless it’s rained recently and your soil has poor drainage, you probably have a burst water main below the surface.
Should You Have Your Water Main Repaired or Replaced?
This question stumps many homeowners, and for good reason. Water main replacements are expensive, so you’d rather not spring for new pipes if you don’t have to.
Age and the condition of your pipes will dictate whether you need a replacement or just a few repairs. Generally, water mains start developing big problems after 50 years.
To determine the age of your water service line, figure out when your home was built. The previous owner may have left records if they replaced the water main. If they didn’t, you can assume your home still uses the original main.
If your home has lead pipes, it’s best to replace them. The government banned lead pipes in new builds in 1986, but many older homes still have them.
Call Us for Water Main Repair
Broken water mains are not something to take lightly. If you don’t act quickly, gushing water can flood your home, leaving you on the hook for costly repairs.
Grasshopper Heating & Cooling understands the urgency required to fix broken water mains. Just give us a call at (518) 545-3271 and our water main repair team will come to the rescue right away. Learn more about how we can help.
FAQs
How do I know if my water main is clogged?
Poor water pressure is one of the biggest signs of a water main clog. Other telltale signs include slow drains, bad smells, and water backing up in weird places.
What causes burst water mains?
Water mains usually burst simply because they’re old. Over time, steel and iron water main pipes can corrode to the point of rupturing. Should that happen, you’ll have a huge repair bill on your hands. This is why we recommend replacing your main water line if it’s more than 50 years old.
What causes water main breaks in the summer?
In summer, temperature changes and overly dry or wet ground can cause your water main to shift. If it shifts too much, it’ll break.
How long does it take to fix a burst water main?
Most plumbers can fix a burst water main in about four to eight hours. The easier it is to access your main, the quicker water main repair will be.
Professional Water Main Repair Near You!
