Water Line Repair in Portland, OR
Low pressure, a soggy patch in the yard, or no water at all? We repair and replace the underground main water service line that feeds your home — the same day, with trenchless options that spare your yard — at an upfront price.
- Same-day & no-water emergencies
- Trenchless / no-dig options
- Permit pulled & inspected
- Discuss the repair scope before work
Fast, flat-rate plumbing — no overtime fees
- Same-day dispatch across Portland metro
- Upfront flat-rate — no overtime fees
- Discuss the repair scope before work
- Live dispatcher 24/7 — no voicemail
Your main water service line
The water service line is the single buried pipe that carries fresh water from the city meter at the street to your home. You own and maintain it from the meter to the house — and when it fails, it can drop your pressure, flood your yard, or cut your water entirely.
This is different from the pipes inside your walls. For an interior leak see burst pipe repair; for a whole-home interior re-pipe see pipe repair & repiping.
Signs of a failing water line
- Low water pressure throughout the house
- A soggy or unusually green patch in the yard
- Bubbling or pooling water near the street/meter
- A spiking water bill
- Rusty or discolored water
- Hissing near the meter — or no water at all
Common causes in Portland
Most service-line failures come from corrosion in aging galvanized steel and polybutylene lines common in older Portland homes, plus freeze-thaw cold snaps, tree roots and ground shift in the wet season, and simple age. Once a buried line starts leaking, it rarely gets better on its own.
Who's responsible — you or the city?
In Portland, the homeowner owns the service line from the meter to the house (including the part under your lawn and driveway). The Portland Water Bureau maintains the main and the line through the meter. So a broken line on your property is your repair — and the one we handle.
Per Portland City Code 21.30.130. We'll confirm the boundary before any work.
Repair & replacement methods
We repair an isolated break or replace the whole line — and use the least-invasive method that lasts.
Spot repair
For a single accessible break on otherwise-sound pipe — we expose the spot, repair it, and restore the surface.
Trenchless replacement
Pipe bursting and directional boring pull a new line through the old path with just an entry and exit pit — no trench across your yard.
Open-trench replacement
When depth, obstructions, or pipe condition require it, a precise excavation to replace the full line and restore the ground.
Materials we install
We replace failure-prone galvanized and polybutylene service lines with durable HDPE, copper, or PEX — chosen for your soil, run length, and budget, and built to last decades.
Water line repair cost in Portland
| Spot repair (accessible break) | $500 – $2,000 |
| Trenchless service-line replacement | $3,000 – $8,000+ |
| Open-trench replacement | $2,500 – $7,000+ |
Estimates for guidance; price depends on length, depth, material, trenchless vs. trench, permit, and surface restoration. We give a free on-site quote, and financing is available on larger jobs.
Permits & what to expect
Portland requires a plumbing permit for water service line work (emergency repairs excepted). As an Oregon contractor, we pull the permit, coordinate any right-of-way requirements, and handle the inspection.
No water right now? Check your main shutoff and whether neighbors have water, then call — we dispatch same-day for no-water emergencies.
Broken water line or no water? Call now.
Same-day repair and trenchless replacement of your underground service line across Portland — permit handled, no overtime fees.
Local help for Water Line Repair
From the first call to a clean finish, our Portland plumbers handle water line repair with upfront, flat-rate pricing and no overtime fees — day, night, weekends and holidays.
Call (971) 367-8197Water line questions
No water or a flooded yard? Call — we answer 24/7.
Who is responsible for the water line to my house in Portland?
The homeowner owns and maintains the service line from the meter to the house — including under your yard and driveway. The Portland Water Bureau maintains the main and the line through the meter. Most broken-line repairs fall on the homeowner.
What are the signs my main water line needs repair?
Low pressure throughout the house, a soggy or unusually green yard patch, a spiking water bill, rusty or discolored water, a hissing sound near the meter, or no water at all.
Why do I suddenly have no water?
Check your main shutoff and whether neighbors have water — no water across the street points to a city issue. If it's just your home, a broken service line, closed valve, or frozen line is likely. We diagnose and repair same-day.
Can you replace my water line without digging up my yard?
Often yes — trenchless pipe bursting and directional boring pull a new line through the old path using just a small entry and exit pit, sparing your lawn and driveway. We use open-trench only when conditions require it.
How much does water line repair or replacement cost in Portland?
The price depends on diagnosis, access, parts and the agreed work. Ask what is included in the assessment and request the repair scope and price before authorizing work. Additional restoration or specialist work should be identified separately.
How long does a water line repair take?
The time depends on the fault, access, parts availability and the work agreed after diagnosis. Ask for the expected repair duration and any follow-up before approving the scope.
What pipe material do you use to replace a water line?
Durable HDPE, copper, or PEX — replacing failure-prone galvanized steel and polybutylene found in many older Portland homes. We recommend the best fit for your soil, length and budget.
Do I need a permit to replace my water service line in Portland?
Yes — Portland requires a plumbing permit (emergency repairs excepted). As an Oregon contractor we pull the permit and handle the inspection.
Does homeowners insurance cover underground water line repair?
Coverage depends on the policy, the cause of the damage and the insurer’s assessment. Ask your insurer about coverage, exclusions and the documentation it needs before assuming that any repair or restoration will be covered.
Do you offer same-day or emergency water line repair?
Yes — same-day dispatch across the Portland metro for broken water lines and no-water emergencies, 24/7, with no overtime fees.
Other Plumbing Services in Portland
One call covers every plumbing need, anywhere in the metro.
Water Heater Repair
No hot water or a leaking tank? Same-day gas, electric & tankless repair.
Water Heater Replacement
Old or failed unit swapped same day, hauled away and code-compliant.
Water Heater Installation
New tank or tankless installs sized right for your home.
Tankless Water Heater Repair
Flow-sensor, ignition, scale and control-board fixes.
Drain Cleaning
Clogged or slow drains cleared fast — no harsh chemicals.
Hydro Jetting
High-pressure cleaning that blasts grease, roots and scale.
Sewer Line Repair
Camera diagnosis and trenchless repair of damaged laterals.
Sewer Line Cleaning
Roots and blockages cleared from your main sewer line.
Sewer Line Replacement
Trenchless pipe bursting or a targeted dig that lasts decades.
Sewer Camera Inspection
HD camera locates the exact problem underground.
Burst Pipe Repair
We stop the flood and repair burst pipes the same visit.
Leak Detection
Non-invasive location of hidden water leaks before they spread.
Slab Leak Repair
Pinpoint and repair leaks under your concrete slab.
Pipe Repair & Repiping
Repair or repipe for copper, PEX and old galvanized lines.
Gas Line Repair
Safe repair and leak-testing of natural-gas and propane lines.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Thaw and repair frozen, split pipes before they flood.
Faucet Repair
Drips, low water pressure and worn cartridges fixed fast.
Toilet Repair
Clogged, running, leaking and overflowing toilets repaired.
Garbage Disposal Repair
Jammed, humming or leaking disposals repaired or replaced.
Backflow Testing
Backflow testing requirements, scheduling and reports.
Commercial Plumbing
Same-day plumbing for restaurants, offices and retail.
How the repair scope is decided
The check distinguishes a property-side leak from a fixture problem, a closed valve or a water-provider interruption. Locating the affected line and establishing the failure point helps define access and repair scope.
A sound line with a local defect may allow a targeted repair. Extensive deterioration or repeated failures may support replacement. The material, route, connections and utility conflicts affect the appropriate method.
Confirm the responsible section of the supply, water-off period, access work and restoration. A pressure or flow symptom alone is not enough to establish that the entire service line has failed.
What to have ready before a visit
Tell us which fixtures are affected, whether nearby properties have the same issue and where the meter and property shutoff are located. Share any provider notice, leak alert or previous repair information.