How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Main Water Line? [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $354 - $1,696

The typical cost to repair a main water line is $1,025, but the cost you pay can range from $354 and $1,696, depending on the extent of the repairs.

How we get this data
A mother with her kid doing the dishes in the kitchen
Photo: staticnak1983 / E+ / Getty Images
A mother with her kid doing the dishes in the kitchen
Photo: staticnak1983 / E+ / Getty Images
Highlights

  • The type of repair and the amount of excavation required to reach the main water line will influence the cost more than any other factors.

  • Modern copper water mains are popular for corrosion resistance, but repairs cost four to eight times more than other materials.

  • If the damage is located under patios, driveways, or other hardscaping features, the cost of repairs increases significantly.

  • Leaking water mains can cause major structural damage, so you may need to budget for related repairs, too.

Residential water line repair can be a mighty unwelcome surprise, which is why it’s so important to have realistic expectations when it comes to cost. The cost to repair a main water line is $1,025 on average. The exact figure essentially depends on the repair, labor, and material costs.

Main Water Line Repair by Type of Repair Needed

3 common water main line repairs, including a leaking valve and broken pipe
Photos: Yevhenii Orlov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, designbydx / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Birute / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

Most water main repairs fall into three categories: valve replacements, corrosion fixes, and pipe breaks. Expect to pay between $150 and $700 for leaky valve repairs, and depending on the location, replacing a valve costs $150 to $300.

A cracked pipe can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000, while a broken pipe runs between $500 and $5,000. Corroded pipe repair costs from $600 to $5,000. This is on the expensive end of the spectrum because you’ll need to have all corrosion removed and replaced (which usually means replacing the entire pipe).

However, repiping a house that has old, corroded piping can potentially add value to your home while decreasing future repair costs, making it a worthwhile investment.

Plumber Costs

For a main water line leak, hiring a licensed plumber is the best way to ensure a job well done. Labor costs vary by region, but you can typically expect to pay between $70 and $120 per hour for a plumber. Common plumbing projects related to main water line leak repairs include:

Excavator Operator Costs

For extensive main water line leak repairs, your plumber may call in other professionals to help access the water line. A residential excavator operator charges anywhere from $120 to $150 per hour on average to dig a trench to access underground pipes. Projects your excavation company may offer include:

How Much Do Main Water Line Repairs Cost?

Repairing your home’s main water line costs $989 on average. You can generally expect to pay anywhere from $352 to $1,664 or $70 to $120 per hour. You’ll also need to budget for materials like valves, bushings, and pipes.  

Size of Main Water Line Repair

You can break down the cost of repairing a main water line by the size and type of repair. For example, most broken underground pipe repairs cost between $100 and $200 per linear foot, while above-ground pipes cost anywhere from $1.50 to $12 per linear foot. Here’s how much you could spend by the size of your broken main water line pipe.

Water Line Size (Linear feet)Above-Ground Average CostBelow-Ground Average Cost
10$15–$120$1,000–$2,000
20$30–$250$2,000–$4,000
30$45–$350$3,000–$6,000
40$60–$475$4,000–$8,000
50$75–$600$5,000–$10,000
60$90–$725$6,000–$12,000

Main Water Line Repair Cost Breakdown

Your overall budget will consist of materials and labor, which tend to fluctuate depending on your location, the nature of the project, and the materials needed to remedy the problem. 

Also, you’ll need to call your town or city to determine who is responsible for the portion that goes beyond your property line. Keep reading for more on the factors that influence the cost of repairs.

Materials

Materials generally include new sections of pipe, bushings, and valves. The type of piping you have and the diameter of the piping greatly influence the cost.

  • Copper: $2 to $8 per linear foot.

  • CPVC: $0.50 to $1 per linear foot.

  • PEX: $0.40 to $2 per linear foot.

Location

Costs for repairing main water line leagues also depend on where you live. The following table highlights average emergency plumber costs and some of the biggest cities across the U.S.

CityAverage Emergency Plumbing Cost
Austin, Texas$75–$1,350
Boston, Massachusetts$300–$1,650
Chicago, Illinois$300–$1,575
Cincinnati, Ohio$275–$1,350
Denver, Colorado$300–$1,800
Las Vegas, Nevada$275–$1,500
Los Angeles, California$300–$1,800
Minneapolis, Minnesota$275–$1,425
New Orleans, Louisiana$275–$1,425
New York, New York$300–$1,575
Orlando, Florida$225–$1,125
San Francisco, California$300–$1,800
Seattle, Washington$425–$2,250
Washington, D.C.$300–$1,575

Other Factors

You may have additional projects that need to be taken care of to complete your main water line repair. These factors can greatly affect the total cost, so keep the following numbers in mind as you budget for all elements of your repair:

Floor Replacement

To reach a main water line, sometimes floors need to be opened, resulting in repairs. Flooring installation costs range from $1,500 to $4,900, or around $12.50 per square foot. Vinyl, linoleum, polished concrete, and bamboo flooring cost the least, but if you have tile, stone, or high-end hardwood, you’ll end up paying more—up to $25 per square foot—to replace the floors.

Wall Replacement

Your pro might need to demolish walls to reach the main water line and repair it. Removing old drywall costs between $0.50 and $1 per square foot. If you have plaster walls, removing plaster costs around $1.50 to $3 per square foot. Installing new drywall costs anywhere from $400 to $650 per 100 square feet.

Accessibility 

Most main water lines are located near your water meter and travel to a focal point in your home to distribute water throughout your home. However, older homes may have unusual locations for water meters, and, depending on where your main water line is buried, it can prove to be a more complex project that requires more labor and therefore increased labor costs.

Landscaping 

Main water line repairs can cause significant damage to your yard. If you want to bring back curb appeal and hide unsightly trenches, then you’ll need to invest in landscaping costs ranging from $1,200 to $6,300 on average.

Permits

Acquiring a permit to repair your main water line ranges from $25 to $500 depending on your location. Contact your local building department to find out just how much permits cost near you.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

While you might be tempted to save money on repairing your main water line by doing it yourself, most main water line leak repairs should be left to a plumber near you. Some municipalities even require major plumbing to be completed by a licensed plumber. Your pro will have all the tools and know-how to safely and correctly repair any plumbing problems on your property to prevent costly water remediation expenses.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should repair a damaged water main as soon as you spot it. While some scenarios make it clear that you could have a leak, such as having frozen pipes, other signs are harder to catch. Here are some of the most common signs that indicate repairs are needed:

  • Puddles/standing water in your yard 

  • Water pressure suddenly decreases

  • Cracks begin to appear in your foundation

  • Frequent clogs in your plumbing 

  • Water is smelly or rust-colored

Pipe insulation is worth it if you live anywhere that experiences freezes, as this can help prevent your main water line from cracking from the freeze-thaw cycle.

If you want to determine whether there’s something wrong with your water main (and what that something is), a professional inspection is in order. On average, plumbers charge $165 for this service, though rates may depend on location.

If you’re wondering what to expect during a home plumbing inspection, the plumber will check all of the pipes in your home, gauge their condition, and identify any problem areas.

Most main water lines last around 50 years or more, as long as they’re in good condition.

It’s important to schedule an inspection every two to five years to ensure nothing is wrong with your line. Be on the lookout for low water pressure, soil erosion, or puddles in your yard. These are sure signs of a damaged water line. How much does it cost to replace a main water line? Replacing a water line costs about $2,000 on average. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $250 per linear foot to replace the pipe.

Also, be sure to drip or cover outdoor faucets, insulate pipes, keep airflow moving, and follow other strategies to prevent frozen pipes in the winter.

No, homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover the cost to repair or replace the main water line. This is why some homeowners will spring for a home warranty or coverage from their local water company instead. Insurance only covers damage from a sudden or unforeseen cause, not normal wear and tear or a leak you failed to fix. When in doubt, speak with your insurance provider directly to understand if your homeowners insurance policy covers water damage.

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