What the service line is and where it fails.
The service line runs from the water main under the street to a shutoff and meter inside your cellar. Depending on the age of the house, it can be lead, galvanized steel, copper or plastic. Joints at the main and at the foundation wall fail more often than the straight pipe between them.
A failing line shows up as low pressure, discolored water after repairs, a wet spot on the lawn or a quiet hiss near the meter. Because the pipe is buried, small leaks can run a long time unseen. According to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, you can look up a plumber's license online before you hire, and we suggest you do that for service line work.
When a service line leak is an emergency.
- Water is breaking through the lawn, driveway or sidewalk.
- Pressure has dropped sharply at every fixture, and no one in the neighborhood is working on the main.
- The meter runs with every fixture closed.
- The cellar wall where the pipe enters is wet or water is coming in around it.
- The main valve will not close.
Lead and old pipe material.
Lead service lines are a concern wherever they exist. New Jersey requires water systems to inventory and replace lead service lines, and water suppliers publish information about their lines. Ask the City of Garfield or the Passaic Valley Water Commission whether your line is on the inventory, and check the pipe where it enters your cellar.
A scratch test can tell lead from copper or galvanized steel. Lead is soft and dull gray, and it shines silver when scratched. If you suspect lead, run the cold tap for a minute before drinking and talk to us about replacement.
Repair or replace the line.
We locate the problem first, so you know whether a short repair is enough.
Repair a section.
- Fits a single break or bad joint.
- Less digging and lower cost.
- Leaves the rest of the old pipe in place.
- Best when the pipe is otherwise sound.
Replace the whole line.
- Fits pinholes in several spots or old material.
- Removes lead and galvanized pipe.
- Higher cost and more excavation.
- Fewer repeat repairs.
How a service line repair works.
Locate.
We confirm the line is the source, using a meter test and a locator.
Permit and mark out.
We check what the city needs and call for utility mark outs before digging.
Repair or replace.
The line is repaired by trench or replaced, sometimes with a trenchless method where conditions allow.
Reconnect and test.
Water is restored, pressure and flow are tested, and the area is backfilled.
Water in the yard?
Call now. A dispatcher will help you close the main and arrange a visit.
Who is responsible for which section.
In most systems, the utility owns the main and the pipe up to a curb stop, and the homeowner owns the line from there to the house. The dividing point differs between systems, so ask your water supplier or the City of Garfield. Public Works can tell you where the shutoff is.
If the leak is on the utility's side, report it to them. If it is yours, we repair it. We will tell you what we find, and the local rules can be confirmed with the building department before we start.
What changes the cost of a service line repair.
You get a written price after we locate the problem. A homeowner policy often excludes the service line, so check for an endorsement.
Nearby.
The same work extends to Lodi, Passaic and Elmwood Park. If you are not sure whether the leak is on the service line, start with leak detection.
Questions homeowners ask us.
Yes. The emergency line is open 24/7. If water is breaking out in the yard, close the main inside the house and call.
A wet yard, a running meter with everything off and low pressure at every fixture point to the service line.
Ask the City of Garfield or the water supplier, and check the pipe at the meter. Lead is soft, dull gray and silver when scratched.
Not if a trenchless method or a short repair works. We explain the plan and what gets restored.
Usually not unless you carry a service line endorsement. Check your policy.
Report it to the water supplier or Garfield Public Works. We can help confirm where the leak sits.
Written by the Garfield Express Plumbing team. Updated October 16, 2026.