Water line leaking right now: your first moves
A water line leak outside is different from a leak at a faucet. The water keeps coming from the street at full pressure until you shut it off. Start with the shutoff where the line enters your house.
Close the main shutoff
Turn the main valve in the basement clockwise to stop water at the house. If it will not turn, do not force it.
Call the water emergency line if the valve fails
If the house valve is stuck or the leak is on the street side of the meter, call the Methuen Water Department 24-hour water emergency line at 978-983-8855 to ask about a shutoff at the street.
Keep clear of flooded areas
If water is entering the basement, switch off breakers only if you can reach the panel dry. Do not wade into standing water near electrical equipment.
Call us
Dial (603) 815-9179. Same-day appointments are offered when available, and after-hours calls go to the same 24/7 dispatch.
Signs your service line is leaking
Meter moving with everything off
Check the meter after shutting off all fixtures. A moving dial points to a leak in the house or the line.
Wet or sunken patch in the lawn
A soggy or unusually green spot, a small sinkhole, or water at the surface in dry weather suggests a buried leak.
Sudden drop in water pressure
A broken line loses water before it reaches the house, so showers and taps weaken.
Dirty or discolored water
When a line breaks and pressure drops, soil and debris can enter. Run the cold tap and call if it doesn't clear.
Water at the foundation
Moisture at the wall where the line enters can mean the leak is close to the house.
If you spot more than one, assume the line is the problem until a test says otherwise. We use acoustic listening along the line to find it. See our leak detection page for how that works.
Pressure gone or yard soaked? We can help
Licensed plumbers locate the leak and explain repair and replacement before work starts. Call (603) 815-9179 for a same-day appointment when available.
Low water pressure all through the house
Low pressure at every fixture usually points to the main, not a single faucet. If only one fixture is weak, look at the aerator or valve. If all of them are weak, the cause could be a partly closed main valve, a leak, a failing pressure regulator, or a corroded line.
Try this: open a cold tap at the lowest point and compare it with one upstairs. Then check the main valve is fully open. If nothing changes, a service line leak or a clogged older pipe may be the cause. Old galvanized pipe can narrow inside as it rusts, which reduces flow without any leak.
Quick checks before you call
- Is the main valve fully open?
- Are the neighbors also seeing low pressure? If yes, call the water department.
- Is the problem on hot water only? That points to the water heater.
- Is the meter moving with all fixtures off?
If pressure is the only symptom and there is no leak, we can check the pressure regulator and test the line. Water heater issues are covered under water heater repair.
Repair or replace the service line
| Option | When it fits | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | A single break in an otherwise sound line | Less digging and cost, but other weak spots may remain |
| Full replacement by trench | Old, corroded, or repeatedly leaking line | Longer job with an open trench and landscaping or paving restoration |
| Trenchless replacement | When access and soil allow, and you want less disruption to the yard or driveway | Needs entry and exit pits, and is not suited to every site |
| Replace the house-side section only | Where the municipality maintains its own part | Ask the Methuen Water Department where the city's responsibility ends |
Common replacement materials include copper, HDPE, and PEX pipe rated for water service, and the right one depends on the site and code. We explain what we recommend and why before any digging starts.
Service line pipe and fittings are installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and the Massachusetts plumbing code (248 CMR).
Who owns which part of the line?
Ask the Methuen Water Department where the city's responsibility ends. Do that before you plan a repair or replacement, because it affects who does what and who pays.
Methuen water and what it means for old lines
Methuen's water comes from the Merrimack River through a single intake and filtration plant. The Methuen Water Department reports about 200 miles of water main. In its annual report it says homes built before 1940 may have lead service lines, and that it is still replacing leftover lead goosenecks.
The city also publishes a service line inventory map. If your house is older, check it or ask the department what material your line is. If it is lead, galvanized, or unknown, tell us before we dig, because a replacement is the moment to fix it.
The state building code table uses 48 inches as frost depth. Many service lines sit below that depth, but an older or shallow line is a risk in a hard freeze. If you see a frozen service line, our burst pipe repair page covers thawing safely.
Main shutoff valve problems
A main shutoff that will not close, leaks at the stem, or breaks when you turn it is its own problem. It is the valve you rely on in a flood. Old gate valves seize with age, and the handle can snap.
Do not use a wrench for extra force. Call us and we can replace it with a full-port ball valve, which closes with a quarter turn. If the street shutoff is also needed, we coordinate with the water department's emergency line at 978-983-8855.
Before anyone digs
Call 811 before any excavation so underground utilities get marked. Gas, electric, and communications lines can run near your water line. Digging without marking is a safety hazard and can be expensive.
A new service line or a relocated main may also touch on plumbing installation work, such as moving the meter or valves. In Massachusetts, plumbing permits are issued to licensed plumbers, and our plumbers handle that when it applies.
What affects the price of water line work
What affects the price
No two lines are alike. The price depends on what is under your yard, and you get a clear price before work starts.
Want your real number? Call (603) 815-9179 and a licensed plumber will walk through your options.
Questions we hear
Yes. Our emergency dispatch is 24/7. Call (603) 815-9179, close the main valve, and a licensed plumber will respond as soon as available.
Look for a meter that moves with all water off, a wet lawn patch, a sudden pressure drop, or water at the foundation. Acoustic listening confirms it.
Ask the Methuen Water Department where the city's responsibility ends. That sets who handles each part.
Do not force it. Call the Methuen Water Department 24-hour emergency line at 978-983-8855 about a street shutoff, and call us to repair the valve.
The water department says homes built before 1940 may have lead service lines. The city publishes a service line inventory map, and the department can tell you what it has on record.
Sometimes. Trenchless methods can reduce digging, but they are not right for every site. We look at yours and explain.
It could be a leak in the line, a closed valve, a failing regulator, or a problem at the city main. Ask neighbors, check the meter, and call us.
Not sure which case fits yours? Call (603) 815-9179 and describe what you see.