(571) 760-4451

Water Line Repair in McLean, VA

Soggy lawn, low pressure or a meter that keeps spinning? We locate leaks in the main water line between the meter and your house, then repair or replace it.

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  • Locate before we dig
  • Repair or full replacement
  • Open 24/7

The main water line is easy to forget until it fails. It runs underground from the meter, usually near the street, to the point where it enters your basement or crawl space. When it leaks, water can soak into the soil for months. You may only notice a higher bill or a patch of lawn that never dries. We find the leak before we dig, so the repair is small. If you are not sure which side of the meter the leak is on, start with our leak detection service or our guide on who owns the water line.

What our water line service includes

Signs your water line is failing

Sign Where to look Likely cause
Wet or extra-green strip of grass Between the meter and house Leak in the buried line
Water in or around the meter box Meter pit near the street Leak at a fitting near the meter (call the utility if it is the meter itself)
Low pressure everywhere All fixtures Leak, or old galvanized pipe narrowed by rust
Rusty or dirty water Cold taps Corroding galvanized line
Meter leak indicator moving with taps off Meter dial Active leak
Water coming through the basement wall where the pipe enters Basement Leak at or near the wall sleeve

How we repair a water line

  1. Confirm the leak is outside. We test with the house shut off at the main valve. If the meter still moves, the leak is between the meter and that valve.
  2. Trace and listen. We follow the line's path and listen at the surface. Tracer gas helps on plastic pipe or long runs.
  3. Mark the spot and explain. You see the location and hear the options: repair, partial replacement or full replacement.
  4. Excavate small. For a repair we dig only at the leak. Utility lines are marked before digging through Virginia 811.
  5. Repair or replace. We replace the failed section or install a new line, plus a new shutoff valve if the old one is seized.
  6. Test and backfill. We pressure test, check the meter and backfill.

Repair methods compared

Method How it works Best for Trade-off
Spot repair Dig at the leak, replace a short section One leak on sound pipe Old pipe may fail elsewhere
Open-trench replacement Dig the full path and lay new pipe Short runs, shallow lines, many bends More lawn and hardscape repair
Trenchless pull or pipe bursting Pull new pipe through or along the old path between two pits Long runs under lawns, driveways or landscaping Depends on soil, depth and old pipe

What affects the cost

DIY vs calling a pro

You can do the meter test yourself: shut off every fixture, read the meter, wait two hours and read it again. If it moved, close your main shutoff and check once more. If the meter still moves, the leak is likely in the buried line. Digging without locating the leak and marking utilities is risky. Call us to locate and repair it.

Who is responsible: Fairfax Water vs homeowner

Fairfax County's health department says homeowners are responsible for the water line into the house starting from the street lateral. An archived Fairfax Water page states that water meters and their settings are owned and maintained by Fairfax Water. If the leak is at the meter itself, call the utility. If it is on your side, it is a private repair. In the Town of Vienna's service area, the town handles the public side and the meter.

Local note

Water line runs are long on large lots in Great Falls, though many homes there use private wells instead. Older homes in Falls Church and North Arlington are more likely to still have galvanized lines. In Vienna, many homes are Town of Vienna water customers.

Water line repair questions

Who is responsible for the water line from the street to my house?

Fairfax County's health department says homeowners are responsible for the water line into the house starting from the street lateral. Fairfax Water owns and maintains the meter and its setting. Leaks on your side are a private plumbing repair.

What are the signs of a main water line leak?

A wet or extra-green strip of lawn, water pooling near the meter box, low pressure throughout the house, a rising bill, dirty water or a meter leak indicator that moves with every fixture off.

Do you have to dig up the whole yard?

Usually not. We locate the leak first and dig a small hole for a spot repair. For a full replacement, trenchless methods can pull a new line through with small access pits at each end, depending on soil, depth and the old pipe.

Should I repair or replace my water line?

A single leak on a newer line is usually repaired. Old galvanized steel, a line with several leaks or a line that has lost pressure from internal rust is often better replaced. We show you what we find and explain both options.

Do I need a permit to replace a water line in Fairfax County?

Fairfax County requires a residential plumbing permit for new water connections and for replacing or repairing plumbing equipment. We tell you if your job needs one before work starts.

What if I am a Town of Vienna water customer?

The Town of Vienna runs its own water utility for about 5,600 customers, buying water from Fairfax Water. Call the town about the meter and the public side; the line on your property is still a private repair we can handle.

Sources

Last reviewed 2026-11-07. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Read how we research and check pages in our editorial policy.

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Main water line leaking? Call for water line repair in McLean.

Call McLean Plumber Works any time, day or night. A plumber picks up and talks you through next steps.

(571) 760-4451
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