If you spot a soggy patch of grass in your yard or get a surprise high water bill, it can be a warning sign that a problem is lurking underground. It can be stressful, wondering whether you’ve got a minor issue or a really serious problem.
Water line failures rarely stay contained. They spread through the soil, create pockets of saturation, damage landscaping, and can even impact your concrete slab if left unchecked. Yard leaks catch families off guard because they happen out of sight.
It might be tempting to wait it out and see if it will go away, but water leaks won’t heal on their own. You need to find the cause and fix it now to avoid worse damage.
What Causes a Broken Water Line in Your Yard?
A broken water line in your yard can happen for several reasons. Unfortunately, Arizona’s soil and climate conditions make them more common than you might think. The ground shifts. Roots from trees can grow up against your pipes. Changes in water pressure. Over time, these factors can take a toll, especially for aging pipes. These conditions put more pressure on your pipes, weaken then, and produce cracks or separate, allowing the water to leak out.
Temperature swings don’t help either. Dry soil expands and contracts, putting more pressure on buried lines. When the pipe finally fails, water will travel the path of least resistance, meaning where you see water may be away from where the actual break is. This makes early detection even more important.
How to Find a Water Leak in Your Yard: First Signs to Look For
When you’re trying to find the source of a water leak in your yard, the first step is identifying the early physical signs. These include:
- Wet or muddy patches that appear even when you have not watered
- Bright green grass in a concentrated area, showing excessive underground moisture
- Areas of sunken or shifting soil
- Running or hissing sounds when no water is being used inside the home
- Unexpected spikes in your monthly water bill
What Should You Check First?
If you suspect there might be a leak, there are a couple of things you can check on your own to try to narrow down the problem. Before calling a professional, here’s how to find a water leak in your yard using basic detective work. If you have an irrigation system, shut it off completely and check the meter. This can help you determine whether it’s your irrigation system or main water lines.
Next, turn off all water inside and outside your home, then watch the meter for your main line. If it continues to move, you likely have a leak somewhere on the property. Main line leaks escalate quickly because they operate under constant pressure. The longer they run, the more soil they displace and the more structural problem they can cause.
What Happens if You Ignore a Yard Leak?
In short, nothing good. A broken water line in yard situations creates compounding problems the longer it’s left unaddressed.
Underground leaks rarely stay contained. Over time, water leaks can erode soil, undermine walkways, damage your landscaping, and saturate the area near your home’s foundation. In severe cases, prolonged soil saturation can affect the stability of your slab.
You’ll also find yourself paying higher water bills for water you’re not even using. Even a very small crack in a pressured line can spill thousands of gallons a month.
When Should You Call a Professional for a Water Leak in Your Yard?
If you think you have a leak, it’s time to call in a professional plumber. Yard leaks require specialty equipment to locate accurately, including acoustic tools, pressure testing, and locating equipment to identify the exact point of failure without having to dig up large portions of your yard.
You need to work with someone you can trust, like the professionals at George Brazil Plumbing & Electrical. Our technicians will arrive when promised, diagnose the problem, and take the time to explain what they find, what they recommend, and what it takes to fix the problem. You’ll get upfront pricing with no surprises.
Families in the Phoenix area have chosen George Brazil for more than 70 years, knowing they’ll get high-quality work at an affordable price, and the job will be done right the first time.
When you see signs of a leak, don’t wait. Schedule a visit from the friendly, professional plumbers at George Brazil.