What is leaking?

  • IfWater appears only when sprinklers runThenAn irrigation valve, lateral or head. Turn off the irrigation timer and its valve.
  • IfWater flows constantly between the meter and the houseThenLikely your service line. Close the house shutoff to protect the home, and call a plumber.
  • IfWater is bubbling at or before the meter box, or in the streetThenLikely the utility side. Report it to the City of Garden Grove's water utility.
  • IfSoggy ground near the sewer cleanout with an odorThenPossibly a sewer lateral problem rather than a water line. Keep people and pets away.

Why service lines fail

The service line carries water from the meter to the house. In older Garden Grove homes it may be galvanized steel or copper laid when the house was built, and it has spent decades underground. Corrosion, tree roots pressing against it, soil movement and digging for landscaping or fences all take a toll.

A small break may first show as a patch of grass that stays green and soft in summer, a sunken spot in the lawn, or water seeping through a crack in the driveway. A larger break can lower pressure through the whole house.

What to do now

  1. Run the meter test

    With everything off, see whether the meter still moves. If it does with the house shutoff closed, the leak is between the meter and the house.

  2. Protect the house

    If water is pooling against the foundation or near the garage, close the meter valve if you can and call for service.

  3. Mark the spot

    Put a stake or flag where water surfaces. It helps locate the break later.

  4. Call before digging

    Underground utilities, including gas lines, may be nearby. Do not dig yourself; a contractor should arrange utility marking first.

Repair approaches

Dig and repair

  • Excavate at the break and replace the damaged section
  • Works for a single break in otherwise sound line
  • Disturbs landscaping or hardscape at that spot

Replace the service line

  • New line from meter to house
  • Often recommended for old galvanized lines
  • Can sometimes be installed with trenchless methods
  • May require a city permit; check with the city

What drives the cost

Length
Distance from the meter to the house
Surface
Lawn is easier than concrete driveway or walkway
Method
Open trench or trenchless
Material
Type and size of the new line
Restoration
Concrete, landscaping and irrigation repairs afterward

Questions to ask

  1. Is the leak on my side of the meter or the city's?
  2. What is the old line made of, and is it worth replacing the whole run?
  3. Will you arrange underground utility marking before digging?
  4. Who restores the concrete or landscaping?
  5. What is your CSLB license number?

Common questions

Who pays for a break before the meter?

The utility side is generally the water provider's responsibility. Report it to the City of Garden Grove's water utility.

Can I keep using water with a yard leak?

Often yes, briefly, if the leak is small and away from the house. Close the meter valve between uses if water is pooling near the foundation.

Will a yard leak raise my water bill?

Yes, water lost after the meter passes through it and is billed. Check with the city about any leak adjustment policy.

General information for Garden Grove, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.