Main water line repair and replacement in Greenville and the Upstate
Main water line repair for leaks between the meter and your house, which waste water you pay for and can undermine your yard and foundation. We bore under driveways instead of breaking them up.
A licensed Master Plumber on every job
How do I know if my main water line is leaking?
Signs include a water bill that jumps for no reason, a wet or sunken spot between the meter and the house, low water pressure, and the meter dial moving when all water is off. Ethical Plumbing locates the leak and repairs or replaces the line, boring under pavement where needed. Call 864-438-0525.
- Leak location
- Repair or full replacement
- Bored under driveways
- Ask about $100 off replacement
From the meter to the house
Your main water line runs from the meter, usually near the street, to where water enters the house. The homeowner is responsible for this line. When it leaks, you pay for water that soaks into the ground, and a large leak can wash out soil under walks, driveways and foundations.
We start by confirming the leak with the meter and then locating it. A single failed fitting or damaged section can be repaired. Old galvanized or polybutylene lines that are failing in more than one place are better replaced, and a new line comes with full pressure and years of trouble-free service.
No torn-up driveway
If the line runs under a driveway, sidewalk or road, we do not break up the pavement to reach it. We bore underneath and pull the new pipe through, so the surface stays intact. That avoids the cost of breaking up and repouring concrete on top of the plumbing work.
Signs of a main water line leak
Call when you notice:
- A water bill higher than usual
- The meter moving with all water off
- A wet, green or sunken patch in the yard
- Water pooling near the meter or foundation
- Low pressure throughout the house
- Rusty or dirty water
Common causes
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Aging pipe
Galvanized steel corrodes from inside; polybutylene fails at fittings.
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Tree roots
Roots wrap and crush lines, or find small leaks and widen them.
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High pressure
Pressure above 80 psi strains the line and fittings.
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Freezing
Shallow lines and exposed sections can split in hard freezes.
Water lines in Upstate homes
Upstate homes from the 1970s through the mid 1990s often have polybutylene water lines, gray plastic pipe known for sudden failures. Older homes may still have galvanized steel. Red clay soil holds moisture against the pipe and shifts with the seasons, which is hard on old fittings. If your line is one of these materials and has started leaking, replacement usually costs less than repeated repairs.
What affects the price of main water line repair
You get a written price before work starts. It depends on:
- Repair or full replacement
- Line length and depth
- Boring under driveways or walks
- Pipe material
- Adding a pressure reducing valve or shutoff
- Current offer: $100 off a full main water line replacement
How a visit works
You book a time
Online or by phone. We confirm your arrival window and call when the plumber is on the way, or text or email if we cannot reach you.
We find the cause
A licensed Master Plumber diagnoses the problem and explains it in plain terms.
You choose, in writing
You get your options side by side with written prices. Nothing starts until you approve.
We fix it and walk you through it
Clean work area, tested result, and a walkthrough before we leave.
Why homeowners call Ethical Plumbing for water line repair
Every job starts with a diagnosis from a licensed plumber, not a sales pitch. We explain what we found in plain terms, show you the options side by side, and put the prices in writing before anything starts. If a repair makes more sense than a replacement, we say so.
We treat your home like a job site that people live in: shoe covers on, work area protected, cleaned up before we leave, and a walkthrough of what we did. Ethical Plumbing has served the Upstate since 2010, and our team brings 100+ years of combined plumbing experience. You can meet our plumbers or read what customers say.
What customers say
Every review here is from a real customer. Names are shortened for privacy.
Scott and Dorian were very knowledgeable, professional and thorough. We were given a detailed explanation of the work needed.
Nick was very thorough explaining our options, and didn't track in dirt on our floors.
Tristan was very knowledgeable and professional from our initial conversation to the follow up when the work was complete.
Main water line repair across the Upstate
We repair and replace main water lines in 7 counties across the Upstate and western North Carolina. Towns with a local page are linked.
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Greenville County, SC
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Spartanburg County, SC
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Pickens County, SC
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Anderson County, SC
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Henderson County, NC
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Polk County, NC
- Tryon
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Transylvania County, NC
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Also serving
- Seneca, SC
- Gray Court, SC
Main water line repair FAQs
Do you have to tear up my driveway?
No. We bore under driveways, sidewalks and roads and pull the new line through, so the pavement above stays in place.
Who is responsible for the water line?
The water utility owns the line up to the meter. The homeowner owns the line from the meter to the house.
How can I check for a main line leak?
Turn off every faucet and appliance, then watch the meter. If the dial or leak indicator moves, water is escaping somewhere.
How long does water line replacement take?
Many residential replacements are done in a day, depending on length and what is in the way.
What pipe do you use for a new water line?
Usually PE or PEX rated for underground service, matched to local code and your water pressure.
Will the utility fix a leak on my side of the meter?
No. Leaks between the meter and the house are the homeowner’s responsibility. Some utilities offer a leak adjustment on the bill after a repair, so keep your receipt.
Is a main water line leak an emergency?
A large leak is. Shut off the main valve at the house or meter and call 864-438-0525.
Do you offer any discounts?
Ask about $100 off a full main water line replacement. Financing is available through GoodLeap.
Ready when you are
Tell us what's going on.
A Master Plumber will find the cause, explain it in plain terms, and put your options in writing before any work starts.
- A licensed Master Plumber on every job
- Serving the Upstate since 2010
- Written prices, every job