When a water line leaks, whether you do a water repair, a new main water line, or any type of water main work, the following information will be of great use. Many people assume water repair work on a water main consists simply of digging some holes and filling them in at the end of the day. Frequently overlooked is information that is vital to a correct water repair or main water line. While not too complicated, the following points should be carefully reviewed before performing a water repair.
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Sizing The Main Water Line
When a water repair is needed one of the 
most important issues is correctly choosing the size of the new main water line. This not done by guesswork or ‘rule of thumb’. There is a carefully devised sizing table that all contractors must use for water line work when a water line leaks or requires an upgrade.¬† Following this table can increase water pressure. As a point of interest, an 1 1/4″ water line will supply almost 2X the amount of a 1″ line. For more information click this link: Sizing A Water Main
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Water Main Material
Domestic K Copper Water Tubing
The NYC DEP clearly states what material is approved for a water repair, or new main water line. What is sometimes misunderstood is that illegal material for a water main or a sewer line are not listed. Meaning that because a material for a main water line is not expressly excluded, does in no way mean that it accepted to be used for a water line or sewer line. It is up to the NYC licensed plumber to adhere to the material that is listed and approved by the NYC DEP and the NYC DOB.¬† For a main water line in NYC the following materials as used: K type copper, Ductile Iron Pipe, and Brass. K copper is the material most widely used as it is permitted for a water line of up to 2″, which is sufficient for¬† the majority of properties in NYC. For more in depth information click this link: Water Main Material
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Increasing Water Pressure
Leaking tap connection in NYC
Low water pressure can be caused by a variety of reasons, including a water main break. Low water pressure can be related to plumbing inside the house, but more frequently involves the main water line. A NYC licensed plumber can easily test and check NYC DEP records to pin-point the cause of low water pressure, and how to increase water pressure. Balkan Sewer And Water Main Service provides free site visits and free on-site evaluations for any water line issue, or when a water line leaks. Fore more detailed information click this link: Increasing Water Pressure
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The Tap Connection
Tap For A Water Main - CLICK TO ENLARGE
The tap connection, sometimes called a wet tap connection, is the connection from a main water line to the NYC DEP owned water main usually located in the roadway. If a tap connection is undersized it will not permit proper water volume to enter a premises no matter how large the water line is. This is even more of an issue in the old Jamaica Water territory that the NYC DEP took over in the 1990′s. A new tap connection costs around $300.00, which is a small price to pay for ensuring a correct main water line job. New tap connections are easily installed by NYC DEP field forces in around 20 minutes after the NYC licensed plumber has secured the proper permits. In the ‘old days’, before power tools, a tap connection actually used to be driven into the city main by hand. Hence these old tap connections are referred to as ‘driven taps’.
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Water Repair Vs. Water Line Replacement
Water Line Leak
Thousands of NYC property owners every year try to decide when a water line leaks which type of water repair to do. What somewhat simplifies this issue  is the fact that the NYC DEP does not permit a water repair on lead or a galvanized main water line. A lead or a galvanized water main would have to have the entire main water line replaced to be to code. If the main water line is copper the determining factors on whether to perform a water repair or a complete main water line would be the age of the existing line and the size of the existing main water line. A typical life expectancy of an underground water line is 50 years. Much more detailed information is available on this link:  Water Repair | Water Line Replacement
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What To Do?
When a water line leaks and a water repair is needed there is usually no need to panic or get excited. Balkan Sewer And Water Main Service typically completes a main water line within 24 hours of initial call for service. What may seem like extraordinary water main service is ordinary company policy at Balkan. In addition Balkan uses a ‘uniform pricing policy’ so regardless of the severity of water line leaks the price always remains the same.
If you suspect you need a water repair the 1st step is always to  call 311 and ask for a NYC DEP representative to come to your site for verification, the 2nd step is to call a NYC licensed plumber to assess the situation. As mentioned previously, Balkan provides free on-site evaluations and free estimates with no obligation to hire. More detailed and in depth information is available from this link:  NYC Water Main Break
About Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
Balkan Plumbing is the largest sewer line &  water line company in NYC. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. As a family run business in operation for over 50 years, our 10 year guarantee means we continue to stand by our work after the job is done.We are expertly equipped, from our 48,000 square foot facility to dozens of trucks, heavy moving equipment, backhoes and pneumatics. For all your sewer repair, main water main, water line leaks, sewer line replacement, water line replacement, house trap, backwater check valve, hydrants, manholes, specialty water main work, and trench drains contact Balkan Plumbing today.
Joseph L. Balkan Inc.
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570
www.balkanplumbing.com
