Underground Water Line Leaks in Arlington: Signs and Fixes

Your main water line is the pipe that carries water from the city meter near the street to your house. When it leaks underground, the water soaks into the soil, so you may not see it for weeks. A soggy yard, low pressure or a meter that keeps moving are the most common signs. Call (817) 285-5426 for water line leak detection in Arlington, 24/7.

What is an underground water line leak?

An underground water line leak is a break, crack or loose joint in the buried pipe between your water meter and your home. The pipe is under constant pressure, so water keeps flowing out day and night. It can also run under driveways, sidewalks and patios, which hides the leak even more.

In most cases, the part of the line from the meter to the house is the property owner's to repair. If you are not sure where your side starts, Arlington Water Utilities can tell you.

What are the signs of a water line leak?

The most common signs are a wet or soggy patch in the yard when it has not rained, a strip of grass that is greener than the rest, lower water pressure in the whole house, a water meter that moves with everything off, and a higher water bill. Sinking soil or water in the meter box are signs too.

• Soggy spot with no rain
• Extra-green strip of grass
• Low pressure at every tap
• Meter moves with taps off
• Water standing in the meter box
• Small sinkhole or sunken soil
• Cracks in a driveway or walk
• Higher bill with no new use

Why do water lines leak in Arlington?

Arlington's expansive clay soil swells after rain and shrinks in long, hot summers. That movement pulls on buried pipes and joints. Tree roots, old pipe materials, high water pressure and hard freezes add stress. Winter Storm Uri in 2021 showed how fast a deep freeze can crack lines across the city.

Pipe material matters too. Some homes built from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s have gray polybutylene pipe, which is known to fail with age. Older homes may have galvanized steel that rusts from the inside. Copper and PVC can last for decades but still crack where the soil moves.

Is the leak in the main line or the sprinklers?

Turn off the sprinkler system at its own shut-off or backflow valve, then watch the water meter with every tap off. If the meter stops, the leak is likely in the irrigation system. If it keeps moving, close the main valve at the house. A meter that still moves points to the main water line.

Sprinkler leaks are common in Arlington yards. A broken head or a cracked lateral line can waste a lot of water. These fall under our pool and outdoor leak service. If the meter stops when the house valve is closed, the leak is inside the home. Read our guide to slab leak signs next.

How do pros find a leak in a buried water line?

A leak detection technician first traces where the line runs with an electronic line locator. Then acoustic ground microphones listen for the sound of water escaping through the soil. For very small leaks, tracer gas is pushed into the line and rises through the ground at the leak. This pinpoints the spot before any digging starts.

That means one small hole instead of a long trench across your lawn. Learn more about the tools we use for leak detection.

How much does water line leak detection cost?

Water line leak detection in Arlington usually costs about $200 to $500. The price depends on how long the line is, what it runs under, and how loud the leak is. Repair is priced separately, and you get a clear price before any work begins.

General estimates for Arlington, TX in 2026. See our full cost table.

Should you repair or replace the water line?

A single leak in a newer copper or PVC line is usually fixed with a spot repair. If the line is polybutylene or galvanized steel, or has leaked more than once, replacing it with new pipe is often the better long-term choice. Your technician explains both options and prices before work starts.

Before anyone digs, Texas law requires a call to Texas811 so buried gas, power and cable lines can be marked. Licensed plumbers handle that step as part of the job. See our leak repair options.

What should you do while you wait for help?

If water is pooling or the leak is large, close the main shut-off valve at the house or the valve in the meter box. Keep people and pets away from soft or sunken ground. Take photos of the wet area and your meter reading. Then call a licensed plumber to locate and fix the leak.