Underground line leaks: three signs to watch for
A buried line leaks out of sight, so the clues show up in the yard, at the meter and at the tap. Here is how they usually appear.
A wet spot or sunken yard
Grass that stays green and soggy in a dry spell, a patch that gives under your foot, or a slight dip in the lawn along the line between the meter and the house. In winter, look for ice or melted snow where the rest of the yard is frozen.
A meter that spins with fixtures off
Shut off every tap and appliance and watch the meter head. If it shows flow, close the main inside the house and look again. A meter that keeps moving points to the buried section.
Low pressure through the whole house
A leak that is large enough can drag pressure down at every tap, because water is escaping before it reaches the building. Note whether the drop came on suddenly or over weeks.
Water surfacing in the yard right now? First moves
- Close the main shutoff valve inside the house. If water keeps surfacing, the leak is upstream of that valve, so tell us.
- Do not dig or probe the wet patch. Lines are not the only buried things, and you may hit a gas line, a cable or a private electric run.
- Keep kids and pets away from soft, sunken ground and standing water near the meter.
- Call the 24/7 line and describe the spot, the meter reading and whether the pressure changed overnight.
Low water pressure: service line, fixture or regulator?
Low pressure has several causes, and only some are underground. This table separates them in a few minutes with no tools.
| What you notice | Probably the cause | How to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| One tap is weak, others are normal | A clogged aerator or a failed cartridge at that fixture | Remove the aerator and rinse it, or see our faucet repair page |
| Hot water weak, cold normal | Water heater valve or sediment | Check the shutoff at the heater |
| Every tap weak, meter spins | Leaking service line | Repeat the meter test with the main closed |
| Every tap weak, meter calm | Failing pressure regulator or a partly closed main valve | Check the main valve is fully open, then call |
| Pressure swings or hammering | Regulator or a sticking valve | Listen at the regulator, note timing |
How low pressure gets diagnosed
A pressure gauge on an outdoor hose bib tells us what the house is actually receiving. A steady reading that is low points upstream, at the regulator or the line. A reading that is fine at the hose bib and low at a single sink points back to that fixture.
A regulator is a bell-shaped valve near the main shutoff. When its internal spring fails, pressure can fall, spike or creep upward overnight. It is a common fix, and worth ruling out before anyone talks about digging the yard. If a meter test points underground, leak detection locates the leak before any dig.
Yard and meter-box leaks
The line often fails close to where it enters the meter box or near a connector, and the clue is water collecting inside the box lid. Do not reach into a box with water in it if you can see a wire or if the lid is cracked. Tell us the box is wet and we will plan the fix.
A split in an exposed section is a burst pipe repair, and a line that has failed repeatedly may call for repiping. We also cover Hudsonville callers to the south.
Call MISS DIG 811 before anyone digs
Michigan's one-call system asks you to contact MISS DIG 811 at least 3 business days before any digging, for any project regardless of size. The call is free. Public utility lines are marked. Private lines, such as a yard light feed or a buried sprinkler line, are not marked.
We will tell you when a dig is required and what has to be located first. If you hire a contractor, ask whether they have called, and check that your ticket is still valid on the day.
Allendale, MI: township water, a lead inventory and where the township's role ends
Allendale Charter Township buys its water from the City of Grand Rapids, whose supply comes from Lake Michigan. The township's 2025 water quality report states a service line inventory of 3,979 lines, with zero known lead or presumed lead service lines. That is the township's inventory, and it is not a test of your tap.
Ask the township utility where its responsibility ends and yours begins, before you assume who pays for a repair. Our visit can then focus on the part that is yours. If you are outside the township water system and use a private well, this page does not apply. Ask Ottawa County about your well and testing.
Source: the township's 2025 water quality report and the township water and sewer page.
How a service line repair goes
Confirm the line
We run the meter test, check the pressure and rule out fixtures and the regulator.
Locate and mark
We find the leak with listening gear and note where the line runs. MISS DIG 811 goes before any excavation.
Repair or replace
We explain whether one repaired section is enough or the whole run needs replacing.
Restore and test
We retest the meter and pressure. Lawn and hard surface restoration is a conversation we have before work starts.
What goes into the price of a service line job
A buried line is one of the most variable jobs in plumbing. These are the main drivers.
A same-day or after-hours visit does not change the way we explain things. You hear the price for the work before it starts.
The farther the leak is from the street or the house, the more digging or the more work to locate it.
Lawn is simple to restore. A driveway, sidewalk or patio adds cutting, patching and time.
A single leak in good pipe is a repair. A line with several leaks is better replaced.
The pipe type and size decide the fittings and method. We confirm what you have before quoting.
A tight search area is cheaper than scanning a whole yard.
Meter spinning with everything off?
Call the 24/7 line. We can talk through the meter test and book a same-day visit when one is available.
Call (855) 575-2890