Water Line & Yard Leak Detection in Cibolo, TX
Wet patch in the lawn, low pressure, or a meter that keeps spinning? Get the leak in the line between your meter and your house pinpointed.
Call (210) 750-1568- Open 24/7 · Cibolo, TX 78108
- Non-invasive detection
- Repair options explained
What is a water service line leak?
A water service line leak is a leak in the underground pipe that carries water from your water meter to your house. It is buried in the yard, so it usually shows up as a soggy patch, unusually green grass, low water pressure or a meter that keeps moving when every fixture is off.
The service line is separate from the plumbing under your slab. Water enters at the meter near the street, travels underground to the house, and passes the main shutoff valve before it reaches the plumbing inside. A leak anywhere on that run wastes water you pay for.
Who is responsible for the line?
In most Texas cities, the property owner is responsible for the service line from the customer side of the meter to the house, while the water utility handles the meter and the main. If you're a City of Cibolo water customer and aren't sure where responsibility starts at your address, ask City of Cibolo Utility Services before booking a repair.
If the leak turns out to be on the utility's side of the meter, report it to the city. If it's on your side, a leak detection pro can locate it and explain repair options.
Signs of a yard or main water line leak
- Soggy, sunken or muddy patch in the yard
- One strip of grass greener than the rest
- Water in the meter box when it hasn't rained
- Meter moving with the house shutoff closed
- Low water pressure throughout the house
- A sudden, unexplained jump in the water bill
- Hissing sound near the meter or foundation
- Cracks in a driveway or walkway over the line
Quick test: is the leak in the yard?
- Turn off all faucets, appliances and the irrigation system.
- Check the meter. If it's moving, you have a leak somewhere.
- Close the house's main shutoff valve, usually where the line enters the house.
- Check the meter again. If it still moves, the leak is likely between the meter and the house.
- If it stops, the leak is inside the house or under the slab.
Our hidden water leak guide covers the meter test in more detail.
What causes service line leaks?
- Shifting clay soil pulling on joints and fittings
- Tree roots pressing on or wrapping around the line
- Old or brittle pipe and corroded fittings
- Damage from digging for fences, landscaping or irrigation
- High water pressure straining joints over time
How the leak is found and fixed
A technician confirms the leak with the meter, traces the line's path with an electronic locator, and listens along it with acoustic equipment to pinpoint the spot. Only a small hole is then dug at that point.
Repairs range from replacing a short section of pipe to replacing the whole service line when it's old or has failed more than once. In some cases a new line can be pulled through with trenchless methods to limit lawn damage.
How much does water line leak repair cost in Cibolo?
Finding a yard water line leak in Cibolo usually costs about $200 to $500. Repairing a short section of service line often costs $500 to $2,000. Replacing the whole line from the meter to the house typically runs $2,000 to $6,000, depending on length, depth, and whether driveways or landscaping are in the way.
| Water line job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Service line leak detection | $200 – $500 |
| Spot repair of the service line | $500 – $2,000 |
| Full line replacement, meter to house | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| House shutoff valve replacement | $200 – $500 |
| Boring under a driveway or walk (add-on) | $500 – $2,000 |
Ranges are approximate 2026 estimates for the Cibolo and northeast San Antonio area, gathered from typical local pricing. They are not quotes. The provider gives you a price before any work starts.
Repair or replace the service line?
A single leak on newer PVC or PEX pipe is usually repaired in place. If the line is old polybutylene or galvanized steel, or has leaked before, replacing it from the meter to the house avoids paying for more digging later. Ask what pipe material is in the ground.
DIY safety before anyone digs
You can do the meter test and close the house shutoff to confirm the leak is outside. Don't dig until utilities are marked through Texas811. Gas, power and fiber lines often share the same strip of yard. If the meter stops when the house valve is closed, the leak is inside, so start with leak detection in Cibolo, TX.
Frequently asked questions
Who is responsible for a leak between the meter and my house?
Generally, the homeowner owns the service line from the meter to the house, and the utility is responsible for the meter and its side of the system. If you're unsure where the line of responsibility is at your address, call City of Cibolo Utility Services.
How do I know the leak is in the yard and not under the slab?
Turn off your home's main shutoff valve, usually near where the line enters the house. If the meter keeps moving with the house valve closed, the leak is likely in the service line between the meter and the house.
What does a yard line leak look like?
Look for a soggy or sunken patch, grass that is greener than the rest of the lawn, water pooling near the meter box, or a drop in water pressure inside.
Can a yard leak be fixed without digging up the whole lawn?
Usually. Once the leak is pinpointed, only a small hole is dug at that spot for a repair. If the line is old or damaged in many places, replacing it may be recommended instead.
Can the city lower my bill if I had a leak?
Some Texas utilities offer leak adjustments after a repair. Contact City of Cibolo Utility Services to ask what is available and what proof of repair they need.
Is an irrigation leak the same thing?
Sprinkler system leaks can look similar. A pro can isolate the irrigation system from the main service line to tell them apart.
Need a leak found in Cibolo?
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