What are the signs that I need to repair or replace my water supply lines?

Question

Accepted Answer

The signs are reduced water pressure throughout the house, discolored or rusty water, damp spots or stains on walls and floors, an unexplained water bill increase, and unusual noises in the pipes. The water bill is often the earliest warning for a buried line.

The Signs

Reduced pressure throughout the house. Not one fixture — everywhere. Galvanized supply pipe corrodes from the inside out, and decades of buildup narrow the opening until flow drops noticeably.
Discolored or rusty water, particularly first thing in the morning or after the house has sat unused. Run the cold tap to check whether it appears on both hot and cold.
Damp spots, stains, or bubbling paint on walls, ceilings, or floors.
An unexplained water bill increase. Frequently the first evidence of a buried or slab leak, weeks before anything is visible.
Running water sound with everything off.
Wet or unusually green patches in the yard along the service line’s route — in a desert climate, a suspiciously healthy strip of grass stands out.
Visible corrosion or green staining at joints on exposed pipe.

The Five-Minute Confirmation

Shut off every fixture and water-using appliance, then watch your water meter’s low-flow indicator for fifteen minutes. If it moves, water is going somewhere it should not. This catches leaks that would otherwise run for months.

Repair vs. Replace

One leak in sound pipe is a repair. Repeat leaks in different locations, pressure dropping house-wide, and discolored water together indicate the system is failing throughout — at which point repiping costs more upfront and less overall than a series of patches.

Check the Cause First

Excess incoming water pressure without a working pressure reducing valve causes repeat leaks in otherwise healthy pipe — a far cheaper fix than replacing lines.