Ouch - Water Line Leak

[Karin Crompton]

We just closed on a bank-owned property w/city services and today I had an appt to get the water turned back on at the street. The city water guy told me there's a leak somewhere between the curb box and the house.

I'm looking for some info on what I can expect for work and, possibly, some ballpark on $$. The house is in CT, but it's been in the 40s this week and ground is not frozen solid. Not this week, anyway.

The distance from curb box to house is about 35-40 feet. There's one square of concrete sidewalk to possibly contend with, and the line likely runs underneath an asphalt walkway to the house, then under a front porch of about 6 feet. I don't know where the leak is.

Is it appropriate to expect someone to replace the entire line, or just the portion where it leaks? One excavating company told me it's better to replace it all to guard against future problems, and that it isn't a much bigger deal to do so. I was hoping a company could pinpoint the problem and replace just that section (it is likely copper pipe under there).

Also, I understand cost varies by state and city, not to mention what they run into, but what should I look at as reasonable estimates? I have one right now at $3500-$4000.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[David Niles]

Your chance of pinpointing the exact spot the leak is at is pretty slim so more then likely you'll be better off excavating and replacing the whole piece, rarely do leaks just spring up unless the pipe has frozen ( not usually so on mains as their sunk deep enough ) or rocks pierce them, besides those issues, usually the pipe is worn. We did have one rehab recently that the main was leaking and was only a couple years old, turns out the soil is real rocky with shale and they didnt cover the line with sand before burying. Covering the main in sand before burying is cheap insurance in rocky soil.

The driveway, sidewalk and porch are going to be your biggest issues price wise.