If your water suddenly stops, the pressure collapses or a patch of yard turns soggy, the water service line may have failed. Close the main shutoff inside the house, and call our 24/7 line, which is answered around the clock. We book same-day appointments when available in Maryland Heights.
While you wait, avoid running water, keep children and pets away from soft ground and note whether the meter is still turning. That helps us decide where to look first.
We locate the break, explain the repair options and give you a clear price before any digging starts. Many service line problems are repaired in a day, though some need excavation or a trenchless approach.
Water line emergency: signs the service line has failed
A buried line gives few warnings, but these signs often show up in the order below.
Meter running with water off
If the meter moves when nothing is on, water is escaping between the meter and the house or inside it.
Soft or wet ground
A soggy patch, a sunken spot or unusually green grass near the line suggests a leak.
Sudden low pressure
A drop at every fixture can mean a leaking line, a partly closed valve or a utility issue.
No water at all
A broken line or a failed shutoff can cut service entirely.
Hissing or running sound
Water escaping under pressure can be heard at a meter or near a wall.
If you only notice a spike in the water bill, start with the meter test on our leak detection page to confirm that water is actually leaving the system.
Low water pressure: inside the house or outside
Low pressure is a common reason for a call, and the cause is not always the service line.
| Pattern | Likely cause | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Only one fixture is weak | Clogged aerator or a partly closed stop valve | That fixture |
| Hot water only is weak | Water heater valve or sediment in the tank | The water heater |
| Whole house is weak | Failing pressure reducing valve, partly closed main or leaking service line | Main valve, PRV and meter |
| Pressure dropped after street work | Utility main work or disturbed sediment | Call the water utility |
| Pressure is low and meter is running | Leak in the service line | Yard and meter box |
Missouri American Water replaced aging main on McKelvey Road in 2021, which the utility warned could cause temporary outages and low pressure. If pressure drops on your street, call the utility at 1-866-430-0820 before assuming the problem is yours.
Finding a buried leak without digging up the yard
Locating the break precisely saves digging time and landscaping.
Confirm the meter reading
We check that the leak is between the meter and the house, not inside the walls.
Trace the line
A pipe locator marks the route of the line, which is often not a straight path from meter to foundation.
Listen along the pipe
Acoustic gear picks up the sound of water escaping, and the loudest point marks the likely break.
Open a small hole
We excavate only at the marked spot and expose the pipe to confirm the break.
If the sound is faint or the pipe is plastic, tracer gas or a pressure test can add confirmation. We pick the least destructive method that works.
Repair or replace the service line
A short break in a healthy line can be spot repaired. A line with many problems is better replaced.
| Situation | Spot repair | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Single break in good pipe | Usually fits | Rarely needed |
| Old pipe with several leaks | Short-term | Usually better |
| Corroded or restricted pipe | Not recommended | Fits, restores pressure |
| Line under a driveway or tree roots | Case by case | Trenchless or open trench can be considered |
Trenchless methods pull or burst a new line through the old path with fewer holes in the yard. They are not right for every site, and we say honestly when open excavation is the better choice.
Who owns the line, and who to call
Ask the utility first
Missouri American Water supplies water in Maryland Heights, and it is the right first call when you are unsure where its pipe ends and yours begins. Call 1-866-430-0820 and ask where the utility's responsibility stops on your property. We do not guess at that boundary, because it affects who pays.
The City of Maryland Heights says permits can be pulled without plans for repairing or replacing interior or exterior water lines, which covers a typical service line job. Call the building division at (314) 291-6550 to confirm what applies, and we walk you through the permit step before work starts.
Underground leaks that show up as a bill
A slow leak in a buried line can run for months and show up only as a high water bill. Ground that stays damp, a meter that never fully stops and water pooling in the meter box are all clues.
If your bill jumped and you see none of those signs, the leak may be inside the house. We start with the simplest tests, then move to burst pipe repair when a break is found inside a wall or crawlspace.
Installing or upgrading a water line
Some jobs replace the line before it fails, such as a corroded pipe or a line that was damaged during other work. A new line can also be sized and routed to match a remodel or an addition.
Our plumbing installation crews handle the connection at the house, the shutoff valve and the pressure regulator when one is needed. The meter and the connection at the main belong to the utility.
What affects the price of water line repair
Length and depth of the line
A short shallow line is a smaller job than a long run through a lawn or driveway.
Pipe material
Copper, plastic and old galvanized each need different parts.
Surface restoration
Lawn, concrete and landscaping repairs add time and materials.
Method
Spot repair, open trench and trenchless approaches vary widely.
Timing
After-hours emergency work is priced differently from a planned visit.
Ask your insurer whether any part of a service line is covered under an endorsement. For your own number, call the dispatch line. We also serve St. Charles and the nearby ZIP codes.
Who sets the rules for the service line
Water service pipe is sold to published standards such as ASTM B88 for copper tube and ASTM F876 for PEX, and the utility sets its own rules for the part of the line near the meter. Missouri American Water at 1-866-430-0820 can tell you where its responsibility ends before you pay for any digging.
The City of Maryland Heights allows permits for water lines to be pulled without plans. Ask the building division which kind of repair needs one before the trench is opened.
Water line questions from Maryland Heights homeowners
Yes. A water line that has gone dead or turned the front yard into a pond is an after-hours problem too. The 24/7 line takes the call, a crew visits the same day when one is free, and you get a clear price before anyone digs.
Look for a meter that runs with everything off, a soggy patch of yard, sudden low pressure or no water at all. Call us and we trace the line with locating and listening gear.
That depends on where the utility's pipe ends and yours begins. Call Missouri American Water at 1-866-430-0820 and ask where its responsibility stops on your property.
No. A failing pressure reducing valve, a partly closed main valve, scale in fixtures or utility main work can also cause it. We check inside the house before suggesting excavation.
The city says permits can be pulled without plans for interior or exterior water lines. Call the building division at (314) 291-6550 to confirm what applies to your job.