In older North Jersey towns the service is often the original lead or galvanized steel pipe from when the house was built. Those lines are past their life, and replacing one is a chance to fix low pressure and get lead out of your drinking water in the same job.
Signs your water service line is failing
- A wet or unusually green strip of lawn between the street and the house
- Water bubbling up at the curb or in the sidewalk joint
- Low pressure throughout the house that came on suddenly or got worse over months
- The water meter turning with every fixture shut off
- Dirty, rusty or sandy water at every tap, not just one
- Water seeping through the foundation wall where the service enters
- A utility notice that your service line is lead or galvanized
- A hissing sound at the main shutoff or meter
Water service line services
Leak location and repair
We isolate the leak to the service line, find where along the run it is, and repair it when the pipe is otherwise sound.
Full service line replacement
New copper or approved polyethylene from the curb stop to the meter, sized to restore pressure, with a new main shutoff valve inside.
Lead and galvanized replacement
Removal of old lead or steel services common in Roselle, Linden, Irvington, East Orange and similar towns, with coordination on the utility's side where they are replacing their portion.
Excavation, backfill and restoration
Careful digging around gas, electric and sewer, proper bedding for the new pipe, compacted backfill, and restoration of lawn, sidewalk or driveway as agreed in the quote.
Curb stop and meter work
Replacing a seized curb stop, connecting at the utility tap, and setting a new meter valve so you can actually shut off the house when you need to.
Permits, mark-outs and inspections
Utility mark-out, road opening permit if needed, plumbing permit and the town inspection are all handled by us.
How a water main replacement works
- 1
Confirm the problem is the service line
We shut the main valve and read the meter, check pressure and inspect the entry point. If the leak is on the utility's side of the curb stop, we tell you so you are not paying for their repair.
- 2
Firm quote and permits
You get a by-the-job price covering the dig, pipe, connections, backfill and restoration. We call in the utility mark-out and pull permits.
- 3
Excavation and new line
Most residential services are replaced in a single day. Water is off for a few hours, not overnight.
- 4
Inspection, backfill and restoration
The inspector sees the new line before it is covered. Then we backfill, compact and restore the surface.
Lead and galvanized service lines in New Jersey
New Jersey utilities are working through programs to replace lead service lines, and many have notified homeowners whose service is lead or of unknown material. In much of Union, Essex and Hudson counties the utility replaces its side to the curb and the homeowner is responsible for the private side into the house. Doing both sides at once avoids a second dig and gets lead out of the water entirely.
Galvanized steel services from the same era are not a lead hazard in themselves but corrode badly, restrict flow and can pick up lead from upstream fittings. Either way, if you have one, plan on replacing it rather than repairing it.
Why Master’s Plumbing
Why call Master's Plumbing for a water main
- Excavation, piping, permits and restoration from one company
- Experience with old lead and galvanized services across North Jersey towns
- Most residential replacements finished in a day
- New main shutoff valve inside the house on every replacement
- 24/7 response when a service line is actively leaking
- Upfront by-the-job pricing, licensed and insured
Water Lines across North Jersey
Master’s Plumbing is based in Roselle and provides water main & service line repair throughout Union County, Essex County, Bergen County, Passaic County, Hudson County, Morris County. Not sure if we cover your town? Call and ask, or check the full service area.
