Now that we’re closing in on July and those long, hot days of summer there’s a good chance your focus is on outdoor chores, cookouts, or maybe a quick family getaway. But before you shift fully into summer mode, there’s one piece of your property you might want to check in on: your water utility service line.
Most homeowners don’t think about it until something goes wrong. But if you own your home, this underground pipe is your responsibility and it could be quietly causing problems you haven’t noticed yet.
So, What Is a Water Utility Service Line?
Your water utility service line is the buried pipe that carries water from the public water main (usually under the street) into your home.
Here’s the key thing: the city or county usually only covers the line up to the meter or curb stop. From there to your home, it’s all on you. If something goes wrong with that stretch of pipe, you’re footing the bill.
Why This Matters Especially Right Now
You might not notice anything unusual just yet, but there are a few reasons why summer is the ideal time to pay attention to your service line:
- Dry soil conditions make it easier for plumbers to locate and access buried lines.
- Contractors book up quickly as the temperature rises and demand increases.
- Homes built before the 1970s may still be connected with galvanized or lead piping, both of which deteriorate over time.
- A minor underground leak could lead to serious problems, especially during a busy summer weekend when guests are over or you’re away.
And while most leaks stay hidden below ground, there are ways to detect them early. Homeowners can learn to spot signs of leaks by observing their yard, pressure, and meter behavior. In fact, Angi on detecting water leaks offers helpful guidance for spotting potential issues before they escalate.
What to Watch For
Here are some subtle signs that your service line may need attention:
- You’re seeing a sudden spike in your water bill without any obvious explanation.
- The water pressure seems lower than usual.
- You’ve noticed wet patches or unusual dips in your yard, even when it hasn’t rained.
- Water from the tap looks discolored or rusty.
- Your house is older and the plumbing hasn’t been replaced in decades.
Even one of these could signal that your service line is deteriorating, leaking, or partially blocked.
Why Summer’s the Best Time to Act
There’s no bad time to fix a problem but summer gives you a major advantage.
The soil is dry and easier to excavate, daylight lasts longer, and if you’re like most families, you may be away for part of the summer which makes scheduling repairs less disruptive to your routine. And let’s face it, no one wants to deal with a water line failure when guests are over for a BBQ.
Putman Plumbing Has You Covered
When it comes to something as important as your home’s water supply, you want a team that knows what they’re doing and treats your home like their own. That’s where we come in.
At Putman Plumbing, we’ve been helping Maryland homeowners with water line repairs and replacements for years. Our team knows the local regulations, the soil conditions, and how to get the job done right the first time.
Here’s what you can count on:
- Licensed, insured, and professional service techs
- Honest assessments we’ll never upsell you something you don’t need
- Clean, respectful work (we treat your property with care)
- Local knowledge that national companies just don’t have
Don’t Wait for a Problem to Find You
Even if everything seems fine on the surface, an aging or compromised service line can fail when you least expect it and the cost of emergency repairs is almost always higher.
Take a proactive approach this summer. Schedule a water line inspection and enjoy peace of mind, knowing your system’s in good shape for the season ahead.
Give us a call at Putman Plumbing, and we’ll make sure your water keeps flowing safely, cleanly, and reliably.
