Your water main line is a large underground pipe that supplies all of the water your home uses on a daily basis. Because it is made of a sturdy metal and buried several feet below the surface, it’s not incredibly common for these pipes to be damaged—but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Sometimes, a water main line will be damaged and need repairs or even replacement. But what can damage a metal pipe that’s buried underground? Keep reading to learn the most common causes of water main line damage.
When pipes fail prematurely, the likely cause for it is that they weren’t properly installed in the first place. The installer may have used substandard materials, or they may have not properly compacted the soil around the pipe, allowing for far more settling and shifting than is natural. Both of these issues can result in cracks and leaks well before your water main line should begin to fail.
While underground pipes are unlikely to freeze entirely—especially in a warm state like California—that doesn’t mean that they’re completely unaffected by drops in temperature. During the winter, the temperature can swing drastically between freezing nights and temperate afternoons. That repeated freezing and thawing causes the soil to expand and contract over and over again, which can place strain on the underground pipes.
Though this situation is not completely avoidable, damage to water mains can be prevented if they’re buried a proper distance underground. Your water main line should be 4 feet or more below the surface. At this depth, they’re less likely to be subject to those drastic swings in temperatures.
Most pests aren’t going to chew on a metal pipe, but that doesn’t mean that their activities can’t damage your water main line in other ways. If you have gophers, moles, or other burrowing pests living on your property, their tunnels can cross under your buried main line. This removes supporting soil from underneath a part of the pipe, placing strain on that section of material. Over time, that section of the pipe can begin to sag and lead to cracks and leaks in the main line. So, if you have these pests in your yard, make sure you deal with them right away to prevent main line damage—and damage to other parts of your property as well.
Even though water main line repair isn’t common, it’s important to know what to do if you suspect your water main is leaking. Even a small crack in your main line can leak thousands of gallons a day and cause significant water damage on your property. So, if you see signs of an underground leak, find a plumber who specializes in main line repair in Sacramento, CA, as soon as possible.
