Your water line has broken: what to do now
If the yard is flooding with no rain, the water has stopped, or the meter spins after you close the house valve, call the 24/7 line. Emergency water line repair in Suwanee, GA runs at night and on weekends, and same-day visits are offered when the schedule allows.
While you wait, close the main valve at the house and do not run water inside. If the break is wide open at the meter or on the street side, Gwinnett County Water Resources takes water emergencies on its 24/7 dispatch line at 678.376.7000.
The water line, also called the service line, is the buried pipe between the meter and the house. A break there can run unseen for days and wash soil from around the pipe.
- Close the main valve at the house to limit what flows into the yard.
- Keep children and pets away from soft or sinking ground.
- Do not dig at the wet spot until 811 has marked the underground utilities.
- Note where the water is surfacing and when you first noticed it.
Where the line runs and who owns each part
The line starts at the county main in the street. Gwinnett County Water Resources maintains the main, the small pipe connecting the main to your meter, and the meter itself.
Everything on your side of the meter is yours. That includes the buried line to the house, the backflow preventer and the plumbing inside. The county says it does not repair leaks on the customer side and its employees cannot work on private property.
The meter is usually in the front yard under a metal cover, so the owned stretch is the yard run between that cover and your foundation. Knowing that stretch tells you who to call and who will pay.
What a failing yard line looks like
The line is out of sight, so the clues show up elsewhere.
A wet strip in the lawn
The county suggests walking the yard for soggy areas when you suspect an underground leak. A stripe of mud between meter and house is the usual pattern.
Low pressure at every tap
If every fixture is weak, the supply line is a suspect before any single faucet is.
The meter moving with the house valve closed
This is the cleanest sign. It puts the loss between the meter and the valve.
A bill that keeps rising
Gwinnett County Water Resources notes that high bills are often caused by a leak inside or outside the home. A buried leak runs all day.
Sinking pavement or a dip in the grass
Water washing soil away leaves a void that settles over time.
Repair the section or replace the whole line
The decision depends on how many failures the line has had and what it is made of.
| Choice | When it fits | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spot repair | One clean break in a pipe that is otherwise in good shape | A short trench, a coupling or new section, and backfill |
| Replace the line in a trench | Repeated leaks, old galvanized steel or corroded pipe | A longer trench from meter to house, new pipe, and restoring the surface |
| Trenchless replacement | A line under a driveway, walkway or landscaping you want to keep | Small access pits at each end, new pipe pulled through or the old pipe burst and replaced |
Trenchless is not possible on every line. The technician decides after seeing the route, the depth and the soil.
Before anyone digs
Digging a yard in Georgia comes with a notice rule, and it applies to a plumber as well as to you.
Call 811
Georgia 811 says to call 811 or submit a ticket at georgia811.com at least three business days before you dig. It is a free service.
Wait for the marks
Utility companies mark buried lines with flags or paint. Georgia defines a tolerance zone of 18 inches on either side of the outer edge of a buried utility.
Hand dig near the marks
Digging inside that zone is done carefully, often by hand.
Confirm the permit
The City of Suwanee requires a building permit for plumbing changes. Ask which parts of your job need one, and call 770-945-8996.
What the repair involves
After the leak is located, the crew opens the ground at the break and cuts out the damaged pipe. A new section goes in with a coupling or a fitting rated for buried use.
Backfill is placed in layers and tamped down so the surface does not sink later. If the line is old, ask whether it makes sense to test the rest of it while the trench is open.
Why it is worth finding the exact spot
The pinpoint decides the trench size. A guess can mean a trench through the lawn, driveway edge or a flower bed that did not need to open. The page on leak detection explains how the spot gets found before digging.
When a break is really a house leak
If the meter stops when the house valve is closed, the problem is inside. That points to burst pipe repair or slab leak repair instead.
What changes the price of water line repair
A short repair beside the meter and a full replacement under a driveway are different jobs. You hear the price before work starts.
Length of the line
The run from the meter to the house varies from lot to lot.
Depth and soil
Rocky or compacted soil slows digging and wears tools.
What sits above the line
A driveway, walkway or landscaping adds restoration work.
Pipe material
Copper and plastic lines use different fittings and labor.
Time of day
A water line that breaks after dark is an emergency call, and its rate can differ from a planned daytime repair.
Policies usually cover sudden accidental damage and often exclude repair of a pipe that failed from age or wear. Some offer a service line rider, so ask your agent. Gwinnett County Water Resources also cautions homeowners to be careful when a contractor says the county will reimburse private work. Ask for any such promise in writing.
Want your real number?
Describe the job on the phone and get a clear price before any work starts.
If the leak raised your water bill
Gwinnett County Water Resources has described a leak adjustment for eligible accounts. Its customer FAQ lists one adjustment in twelve months, a repair within three months of the increased use and a request within three months of the repair.
That wording dates from 2019, so call Customer Care at 678.376.6800 and ask for the current terms. Keep the repair invoice either way, since the county form asks for proof of repair. Neighbors in Lawrenceville can call the same emergency number for a yard line break.
According to Gwinnett County Water Resources, the county maintains the water main, the small pipe connecting the meter to the main and the meter itself, and everything on the customer's side of the meter is yours. Georgia 811 asks for notice at least three business days before digging.
Water line questions
Yes. Yes, the 24/7 line takes broken-water-line calls at night, on weekends and on holidays. Close the main valve at the house, stay off soft ground, and call.
You are. Gwinnett County Water Resources maintains the main, the pipe to your meter and the meter. Everything on the customer side is the owner's.
If the repair needs digging in the yard, Georgia 811 asks for notice at least three business days before the dig starts. Call 811 or file a ticket at georgia811.com.
Sometimes. Trenchless methods use small access pits and avoid a full trench, but they depend on the route, depth and pipe condition. The technician decides after seeing the line.
Run the two-hour meter test, then close the house main and read the meter again. If it still moves, the leak is between the meter and the house.
No. The county says it does not repair leaks on the customer side of the meter. It may offer a bill adjustment on eligible accounts, so ask Customer Care.