Signs your water line is failing
- A wet or soggy strip in the yard between the meter and the house, even in dry weather.
- A water bill that jumps for no reason.
- The meter moving when everything in the house is off.
- Low pressure throughout the house.
- Rusty water, often from old galvanized service lines.
- Water coming up near the foundation.
What to do first
- Check where the water is. In the street or the meter box: call Greenville Water, (864) 241-6000. Greer CPW customers: the number on your bill.
- Between the meter and the house: it's your service line. If it's leaking badly, close the main shut-off at the house, or the curb valve at the meter if you have a meter key.
- Call a plumber to locate and repair the line.
Wet yard or water line leak? Call a plumber
Repair or replace?
| Situation | Usual fix |
|---|---|
| One leak in otherwise sound pipe | Dig and repair that spot |
| Old galvanized line with low pressure | Replace the whole line |
| Repeat leaks along the line | Replace the whole line |
| Line under a driveway or big trees | Ask about trenchless replacement or rerouting |
Water line costs
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Water line repair | $400–$1,500 | Greenville plumbing company blog, 2026 |
| Main water line repair | $397–$3,177 | Today's Homeowner, Greer SC, Feb 2025 |
| Main water line replacement | $2,000–$5,000 (about $3,500 typical) | Industry estimate cited by a Greenville company, 2026 |
Digging in red clay
Greenville County's subsoil is dense red clay. It's slow to dig by hand and holds water around a leaking pipe, which is why a leak can show up as a soggy patch long before the bill spikes. Before any digging, the plumber should call 811 to mark public utilities. 811 doesn't mark your private lines, such as irrigation or outdoor wiring, so point those out.
Permits
A full service-line replacement usually needs a plumbing permit from your city or from Greenville County Building Safety, (864) 467-7060, in unincorporated areas. Ask whether it's in the price.
Related guides
Ready to fix your water line?
Water line questions
How much does it cost to replace a water line from the meter to the house?
About $2,000–$5,000 for most homes, with about $3,500 typical on one industry estimate. Long runs, deep lines and driveway crossings cost more.
How long does a water line replacement take?
Many are done in a day, with the water off for part of it. Longer runs, rock or driveway work can stretch it to two days.
Why is my yard wet near the water meter?
It could be a leak in the meter box (the utility's to check) or in your service line just past the meter (yours). Call the utility first if the water is at the meter box.
What pipe is used for new water lines?
Usually PEX or polyethylene for the buried service line. Both resist corrosion and handle ground movement better than old galvanized steel.
Can a water line be replaced without digging up the yard?
Sometimes. Trenchless methods pull new pipe through with small pits at each end, which helps under driveways and trees. Not every line or site suits it.
Does homeowners insurance cover a broken water line?
Policies vary. Many don't cover a worn-out underground line unless you have a service line endorsement. Check your policy or ask your agent.
Sources
- Greenville Water: customer service page (line responsibility, 811). greenvillewater.com
- Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Greenville blog on main water line replacement (2026); Today's Homeowner (Greer, SC, Feb 2025).
- USDA Official Series Description, Cecil soil series (red clay subsoil).
Page history
October 2026: first published.