Water Service Line Replacement in Brooklyn, NY
The pipe that brings water into your building from the main under the street is the property owner's responsibility in New York City. Elite Pipe Solutions replaces service lines that are leaking, undersized or made of lead.
Call (347) 506-2598
Reasons to replace a service line
Lead
Many Brooklyn homes built before the early 1960s were connected with lead. It can be checked where the line comes through the cellar wall before the meter.
Galvanized steel
Rusts inside until it restricts flow to the whole building, so every floor suffers when two taps are open at once.
A leak under the sidewalk
Signs include water bubbling through sidewalk joints, a wet patch that never dries, or a meter that moves with all taps closed.
Too small for the building
A house converted into several apartments may still be fed by a line sized for one family.
Checking for a lead service line
Find where the water line enters the cellar, usually through the front wall, before the main valve and the meter. Lead pipe is dull grey, does not attract a magnet, and shows bright silver when gently scratched with a key. Copper is penny-coloured. Galvanized steel is grey, and a magnet sticks to it.
Only the section you can see is checked that way; the pipe under the sidewalk may be different material. We can confirm what you have during a visit.
What replacement involves
Survey and plan
We confirm the size and material of the existing line, where it enters the building, and the route to the main.
Permits and coordination
Work in the sidewalk and street involves city permits and connection to the city's water main. We explain what applies before work is scheduled.
Excavation and new line
A new line is laid from the main to the building, either in an open trench or, where conditions allow, pulled through with less digging.
Connection and restoration
The new line is connected to the meter and main valve, tested, and the sidewalk is restored.
Inside the building
A new service line works best when what it connects to is sound. If the main valve is seized or the pipe right after the meter is old galvanized, it makes sense to replace those at the same time while the water is already off.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the water line from the street to my house?
In New York City, the property owner is responsible for the service line from the city main to the building, including repairs and replacement.
How do I know if I have a lead service line?
Look at the pipe where it enters the cellar before the meter. Lead is dull grey, non-magnetic and shiny silver when scratched.
Will my water be off for long?
The new line is installed while the old one keeps working, so the water is usually off only for the final connection.