Main Water Line Break: What to Do First
A broken main water line can waste a lot of water quickly and soften the ground around it. These steps help you limit damage and reach the right people.
Referral service: Gardena Water Line Pros is not a plumbing contractor. Your call may be connected to an independent, third-party service provider who sets its own availability, pricing and terms. Read our referral disclosure.
The short answer
Stop the water, find out whose side the leak is on, then call the right party. Close your main shutoff valve if it's safe to reach. If water is coming from the street, the curb or the meter box, call the utility, Golden State Water Company. If it's coming up in your yard between the meter and the house, that is usually your service line, and a private water line provider handles the repair.
Step 1: Stay safe
- Keep children and pets away from soft, sinking or flooded ground.
- If water is near electrical equipment or entering the house, keep clear and get immediate help.
- Don't dig to look for the pipe. Gas, electric and communication lines may be buried nearby, and excavators in Southern California contact DigAlert / 811 first.
Step 2: Shut off the water at the house
Most homes have a main shutoff valve on the customer side of the meter, often near where the line enters the house or near a front hose bib. Close it only if it's easy and safe to operate, and don't force an old, stiff valve. Closing it stops water flowing into the house; a leak between the meter and that valve can keep running until the line is isolated by a provider or the utility.
Step 3: Utility side or your side?
| What you see | Likely side | Who to contact |
|---|---|---|
| Water in the street or gutter, or a break in the road | Utility main | Golden State Water |
| Water inside or bubbling around the meter box | Utility meter or connection | Golden State Water |
| Water coming up in the yard between the meter and the house | Customer service line | Water line repair provider |
| Water inside the house, under a sink or near the water heater | Indoor plumbing | Plumbing provider |
In Gardena, Golden State Water's Rule No. 16 describes the utility furnishing the service pipe, meter and meter box, and the customer maintaining the piping from the service connection to the place of use. Our responsibility guide explains this in plain English.
Water line break in the yard: water coming up from the ground
Clear water bubbling up, a puddle that won't dry, or a soggy strip of lawn along the path from the meter to the house are common signs of a service line leak. Before you call, rule out a sprinkler or irrigation line by checking whether the area stays wet with the irrigation off. Then try the water meter leak check.
Step 4: Document it
Take photos or a short video of the water, the meter reading and any damage. It helps the provider understand the problem and can help if you contact your insurer. See does homeowners insurance cover water line repair?
Step 5: Get the line assessed
A provider can confirm where the line has failed, often using leak detection before digging, and then discuss a repair or a replacement.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. An on-site assessment by a qualified provider is the only way to know what's happening with a specific line. Gardena Water Line Pros is a referral service, not a plumbing contractor.
Related guides
- Signs of a water service line leak
- Water line repair vs. replacement
- What affects water line repair cost
- Trenchless water line repair: when it may be an option
- Who is responsible for the water service line in Gardena?
- How to check your water meter for a leak
- Low water pressure in the whole house: common causes
- Does homeowners insurance cover water line repair?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if my main water line breaks?
If you can do it safely, close your home's main shutoff valve to stop the flow, keep people away from soft or flooded ground, and figure out whether the water is coming from the street and meter (utility) or from your yard between the meter and the house (customer side).
Who do I call if water is coming up from the street or meter box in Gardena?
Golden State Water Company, Gardena's water utility. Contact Golden State Water for water in the street, at the curb or inside the meter box.
Why is water bubbling up from the ground in my yard?
A leak in the buried service line is one possible cause. A broken sprinkler line, an irrigation valve or drainage can look similar. If the water meter moves while everything is off, the service line is a likely suspect.
Can I keep using water with a broken water line?
It is usually best to keep the water off until the leak is assessed, because running water through a broken line wastes water and can wash out soil. Ask the provider when it is safe to turn it back on.
Water line broken on your side of the meter?
Call to be connected with an independent water line provider serving Gardena, when one is available.
Referral service: Gardena Water Line Pros is not a plumbing contractor. Your call may be connected to an independent, third-party service provider who sets its own availability, pricing and terms. Read our referral disclosure.