Water mains and water service lines: A wet patch in the yard and the taps have gone weak?
The water service line runs underground from the street to your building, so when it leaks you rarely see the pipe. You see a wet patch in the yard that never dries, or the pressure drops at every tap in the house. We find where the line is leaking and repair or replace it.
- Open 24/7
- Free estimates
- Average arrival about 60 minutes
- Open 24/7 Call or text any time
- Average arrival about 60 minutes Across our service area
- Free estimates You know the cost before work starts
- Licensed & insured For homes and businesses
- 8+ years of experience Local to the Lower Mainland
In short
DrainX Plumbing Ltd. is a 24/7 plumber in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, out to Langley. We find leaks in the buried line between the street and your building, then repair or replace the pipe. Call or text 778-794-1234. Average arrival is about 60 minutes, and estimates are free.
Last updated
What to watch for
Signs it’s time to call
- A patch of lawn or driveway that stays wet when it hasn't rained
- Water pressure has dropped at every tap, hot and cold
- A water bill much higher than usual with no change in how you use water
- The sound of water running when everything in the house is off
- Water seeping in where the line enters the basement or crawl space
What we do
How we handle it
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Step 1: Confirm it's the service line
We close the main shut-off inside and check if water is still moving on the street side of it. If it is, the leak is in the buried line and not in the house plumbing.
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Step 2: Find the leak
We trace the route of the line and narrow down where it's losing water. That way the digging happens where the problem is.
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Step 3: Repair the damaged section
When the rest of the pipe is in good shape, we replace the section that failed and test it under pressure before the hole is filled in.
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Step 4: Replace a line that's worn out
An old line that has leaked more than once will likely leak again. We lay out what replacing it involves, and you decide.
Our work
Photos from our jobs
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New pressure-reducing valve and shut-off on a copper water main below the floor joists -
Pressure-reducing valve and shut-off on a water line inside an opened wall -
Main water shut-off and branch valves with handwritten tags
What it costs
There’s no price list, because every job is different. Some jobs are a flat rate and others are quoted after we take a look. Estimates are free, and we explain the cost before any work starts.
Our work is covered by warranty. Coverage depends on the service, and we go over it with you when you book.
Offers on now
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$50 off your first service
Conditions apply. Call for details.
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5% off for seniors
Conditions apply. Call for details.
Mention the offer when you call: 778-794-1234
What causes it
Most service line leaks come down to age. Older metal pipe corrodes in damp soil on the outside and from the water running through it on the inside, and sooner or later a pinhole opens up.
Ground movement is the other common cause. Soil settles and tree roots push against the pipe, which strains the joints until one lets go.
Low pressure with no sign of a leak can be an old galvanized line that has rusted narrow inside. The water still gets through, but less of it.
Water mains: common questions
How do I know the leak is in the water main and not inside the house?
Close the main shut-off where the line enters the building. If you can still hear water running, or the wet patch outside keeps growing, the leak is on the street side of that valve. If everything goes quiet, the problem is more likely inside, and we repair those leaks too.
Who is responsible for the water line, me or the city?
In most places the line on your property is yours to maintain, and the part under the street belongs to the municipality. Where the split falls varies, so check with your city. If the leak turns out to be on their side, they're who to call.
Will you have to dig up my yard?
Some digging is usually needed to reach a buried line. How much depends on where the leak is and what sits above it, so we work that out when we come to look. We're licensed and insured, and we go over the plan with you before any digging starts.
Can you tell me the cost over the phone?
Not for a buried line. We have to see where it runs and where it's leaking, so the job is quoted after an inspection. Estimates are free, and nothing starts until we've explained the costs.
Guides on water mains
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Who owns the water line in Surrey and Vancouver, and when to replace it
Signs your water service line needs replacing, which part the city owns in Vancouver, Surrey and Burnaby, and when a new line can go in with less digging.
Updated
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Low water pressure in your house: causes and fixes
Why water pressure drops at one tap or through the whole house, how to tell a city problem from a plumbing problem, and what fixes each cause.
Updated
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How to find a hidden water leak with your water meter
Check your water meter for a hidden leak, find the usual culprits in the house, and tell a leak in the buried line from one under the floor or in a wall.
Updated
Google reviews
What customers say
5.0 out of 5 on Google
From 23 reviews, as of November 2026
What reviewers mention
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Fair prices
Reviewers often say the price was reasonable. A couple say it came in well under what other plumbers had quoted.
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Quick to come out
Several mention the plumbers arriving when they said they would. Others describe a same-evening visit, and a call-out at short notice on a holiday.
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Careful, clear work
The work is described as thorough, tidy and professional. Reviewers mention clear explanations, upfront pricing and no pressure to buy more.
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Fixed what others couldn't
Two reviewers say DrainX solved a problem other trades had not. Several say they would hire DrainX again, and one already has.
A summary, in our own words, of the reviews on our Google profile as of November 1, 2026. The reviews themselves are on Google.
Reviews shown as written on Google.
Service area
Where we do this work
Need a plumber? Call or text us.
Tell us what’s going on and we’ll take it from there.
Open 24/7 · Free estimates · Average arrival about 60 minutes