There is some very basic information that will come in handy if you suspect you have a water main leak on your house water main. Before making a hiring decision to do perform a water main repair this information could come in handy.
Loss Of Water Pressure
Broken Water Main
A frequent misconception is that every water main leak will result in a corresponding loss of water pressure. Actually even if a water main repair is needed it is quite unusual to have a loss of pressure. Having a leak on a service line is no different than having a sink or other plumbing fixture running in your house Рthere is no loss of pressure. Only in extreme cases such as a ruptured service line will there be a drop in pressure. Typically the first sign of a leak is the sound of running water, or a humming sound in the pipes. A leak will create a vibrating sound on your pipes and frequently be audible long before the leak is visible.
Call 311
Many people are reluctant to notify the authorities when they suspect a water main break or leak. However the NYC DEP will respond in a timely and professional manner when an inquiry is made through  the 311 system regarding a line leak. It is important to clearly state that the call is not regarding a sewer issue and is specifically regarding a main water line leak issue. The DEP will send out a highly trained individual and the site visit is free Рthere is never any fine or cost involved for this visit.
- It is important to know that you cannot and will not be charged for any water leaking from the service line that leads to the street.
Testing For A Main Water Line Leak
Leaking Water Service Line
Testing accurately for a leak is fairly simple and involves no special skills or tools. On almost all buildings in NYC there is a water meter that has a valve on the street side and the house side of the meter. The 1st step in testing for a water main leak is to close the valve on the house side of the meter. If all the dials on the meter completely stop moving that means that there is no longer any water running through the meter. The 2nd step to take is to drain out the house plumbing to ensure that water is not leaking inside the house from a toilet or an underground pipe.
Dial for a water meter
The next step is to simply listen to the water main by placing your ear on the actual pipe or using a metal rod between your ear and the pipe if the line is not directly accessible to place your ear on it. If you hear the sound of running water unfortunately you have a water main leak on the service line to the street and will need a water main repair or replacement. If there is no sound on the line after closing the main valve and draining your plumbing system then the leak is not on your main water line to the street.
- It is important to note that when turning the water back on it should be done slowly and with other plumbing fixtures open to let the air out of the system. This will avoid ‘water hammer’ and possible damage to your pipes.
There may be a leak on the house plumbing or a running toilet inside the house. If no water is being used in the house and the dials on the water meter are moving you do have a plumbing leak inside the house. A simple way to check for a running toilet is to close the valve under the toilet and see if the water meter stops moving. Another simple way to check for a running toilet is to place some food or clothing dye inside the toilet tank and see if it appears inside the bowl after a few minutes.
- Another common source of a¬† leak inside the house that may not be visible is from piping that runs under a slab or basement floor. That is why it is so important to drain out the house plumbing and ‘sound out’ the pipes before jumping to a conclusion.
How Much To Pay For A Site Visit And Estimate
In the NYC sewer and water main service industry it is customary to provide free and no-obligation site visit and estimates. People are frequently hesitant to have a professional come to their house, that somehow they will be obligated in some way. This is simply not the case -  Balkan always provides free and no-obligation site visits and estimates for sewer and water main repair work 7 days a week.
What About Insurance Coverage?
There are two parts to this question, the first refers to typical homeowners insurance. The second refers to insurance that is increasingly provided on the water main service line itself.
- Homeowners Insurance РEach and every insurance carrier has variations on what items they cover of the cost of a water main repair or line replacement. Typically only a few of the components of the cost are covered and there may be a deductible. It is important that you look over your individual policy. Joseph L. Balkan Inc will at no charge and without delay supply a detailed breakdown of all the items that comprise the cost of a water main repair or full water line replacement. Balkans formula for itemizing a bill is accepted by all insurance carriers and helps to expedite the claim process.
Water Main Insurance - In more and more areas of the country water main insurance is being offered for homeowners service lines. The NYC DEP recently initiated steps to look into the possibility of this type of insurance for NYC property owners, but there has been no update as of this time. When offered this type of water main insurance costs around $5.00  or $6.00 a month and covers up to around $3,000.00 of the expense. Each service provider has their own unique coverage and implementation plans. If there is any update on this type of insurance being offered in NYC we will keep our clients and readers posted.
If you have any further questions or inquiries please contact us. All sewer and water main repair inquiries are responded to within 24 hours if received during normal work hours – frequently answered even if received after normal work hours! Joseph L. Balkan Inc continues to strive to provide answers and helpful information for property owners in distressful situations. 2012 will mark Balkans 60th year of continuous operation under the same trusted family name.
About Joseph L. Balkan, Inc.
Owners of Joseph L. Balkan, Inc.
Balkan Plumbing is the largest sewer & water line replacement company in NYC. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. As a family run business in continuous operation for over 50 years. Our 10 year unconditional guarantee* on replacements means that we continue to stand by our work, long 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. Choose Balkan Plumbing for your next sewer repair, water main installation, water repair, water line leaks, NYC DEP violations, sewer replacement, water line replacement, sewer trap, backwater valve, hydrants, manholes, specialty water line work, area drain, and trench drains. Contact Balkan Plumbing today
Joseph L. Balkan, Inc. | Sewer and Water Main Specialists
130-01 Jamaica Avenue Richmond Hill, NY 11418
Phone: (718) 849-0900 | Espanol (718) 943-5720 | Fax: (718) 849-9570
www.balkanplumbing.com
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