12/07/2025
Home repair costs vary, and prove that paying more doesn't always get you more. Here are some parts of what was posted about a plumbing leak in Bellevue. Can any one recommend a plumber who will repair a water main line break for a reasonable cost. I’m hiring someone to locate the leak. I’m getting quotes like $5-7K which are outrageous for digging a 4 foot hole and patching a pipe. Thanks!
Update: after getting estimates of $5-7K to repair and $17-$25K to replace my broken water main line, I could see that local plumbing companies have an unspoken 2X surcharge for rich areas like Bellevue and Eastside. Not wanting to pay this, I opted to hire a water leak detection company to locate the pipe break and then a plumber to dig and fix it.
I ended up paying $550 to hire American Leak Detection who sent 2 guys out and found the leak site in about an hour. They marked this off and I called 811 to have the utility lines marked a few hours later. Luckily the leak site was easily accessible in my front lawn but was near a tree meaning roots likely ruptured the line.
I found on Craigslist and another recommended. The CL plumber ballparked $700-900 if no unexpected problems, the other plumber said $2500. Turns out the CL plumber is fully licensed and has a sewer servicing business so right up his alley. He sent a guy out the same day who spent 2 hours to dig down 3 feet and find the pipe break. However, I have 1.5" pipe due to irrigation which is more expensive to repair and he didn't have those parts on him. He came back the next morning and finished.
Had I hired a local plumbing company, it would have cost $5-7K. I ended up paying $550 for leak detection and $1300 for plumber repair = $1850 total. I could have saved $500 had I hired a day laborer to dig the hole but I didn't want to deal with going to Home Depot.
Here's my #1 suggestion, though - get water line insurance from National Water Company so they will fix it, sparing you the misery and headache! --(I checked that companies reviews they are great on google but mixed on Yelp).
Randon comments about the post......
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You should have a look at your homeowners insurance. We have a service line rider that covers this exact problem. Costs less than $75/year.
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We used Jafco, but it will be in the range you have above. It takes long time to dig that deep.
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The city will also forgive a portion of your water bill. You have to submit repairs and receipts.
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interesting, must check, i carry a separate one, it paid almost all and fantastic job!
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Typically patched lines fail again, as they are at or beyond the end of serviceable life. For the amount being quoted, you should be able to cover replacement of entire line with one that will never fail on you again. I used Aker's Outdoor Plumbing to replace 150' line, complete in one day and for less than your quote (this was 10 years or so ago so price would have gone up, but still likely within range you quoted above).
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Noble Plumbing will beat that price
Noble Plumbing
Please call or text arrowhead plumbing for a free estimate - they are licensed bonded and insured.
Arrowhead plumbing
Wallner Plumbing in Bothell repaired our main line a few years ago.
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same! they did a great job and were less expensive than anyone else.
Top Gun Plumbing will locate the leak and fix it. Leak detection companies, generally, that's all they do: locate. Then you have to hire someone to fix it. TG has located/fixed leaks at two of my neighbors' houses. They ain't cheap, but they will do the job right. Underground trenching option available. For the $7K you referenced, that would be a whole line replacement for TG. And like another commenter stated, if you have an older line, like 20 years or so and it is the thin plastic stuff, you get one leak, others will follow; whack a mole. TG is out of Bothell and is very responsive. At least 42 ND members agree with me, see the FAVS box at the bottom of this post. If you decide to replace the entire line, they will set you up with a temporary line ASAP and then complete the job a few days later.
866-656-2025, topgunplumbing.com
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Plumbers hate to dig holes. And charge top dollar to dig
Hire someone to dig the hole, have plumber do the repair work, have digger fill hole back in.
Call 8-1-1 for licate of underground utilities before you dig.
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Yes. If cost matters, If you can't locate the leak via obvious wet ground, etc, then a locator service. Then a digger, often 2-3' I think. Plumber does the quick repair (30 minutes). Re-fill. Witnessed one like this. Leak was found in this case, when water was turned off and on - bubbled up. If cost is not too much of a concern, seems many good options listed here. ALSO, is your water pressure not too high? That can cause repeat leaks. Cautions mentioned: aware of drain hoses, etc in addition to utilities of course. Locator can help with that, along with 811. Best wishes,
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Noble Plumbing for their input and estimate. 👍👍
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I recommend Walt's Plumbing. He's honest, does good work, and is very reasonably priced (although he sometimes grumbles/mumbles, but don't let that dissuade you).
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I'd definitely dig it myself (I'm cheaper than a plumber), but follow Kim's advice and call 811 to locate utilities.
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If you find the leak, you may want to clean it off and use Rescue Tape for a temporary fix (wrap it tightly several times back and forth). Our main line broke over Thanksgiving a while back, and we were able to turn the water on for a week while waiting for the permanent fix. It made the holidays much more enjoyable.
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If you have black polypropylene, you may want to get brass clamps and inserts from somewhere like HD Fowler to fix the line. Some plumbers suggested barb fittings, but personally I liked the clamps better (Walt suggested the parts and he did the fix too).
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Walt's Plumbing
yes, he is good, but won't dig the hole .
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I’ve had good experience with SOS plumbing. Coni is the owner and he’s very reliable and professional.
425.691.9220
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Have you tried ERIK D Plumber?? Qualified and reasonable!!!!
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If it is a main break, contact the water district. Contact them to check it out. Sometimes they will have someone who will repair it. They are responsible. If it is on your side of the water meter, it is your responsibility to fix.
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my main broke about a year ago. I used walner's plumbing and their quotes were cheaper than anyone else. It was still $6k, had to replace the entire line, but they did not dig, they used water pressure to bore a hole under the yard. Your homeowners insurance will not help unless you had water damage to your home. Also, if you tell your water company what happened, they might offer a discount on your bill.
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Be careful in bottom fishing on pricing. Prices for any trades people have risen dramatically. I am a homeowner like you. I would like to tell you such a quote is way out of line but it probably isn't. The key is to get someone that is licensed, bonded, and has a good reputation or rating. Go to site like Home Advisor (and no I don't work there) and get a few more quotes. I bet there will be a range of prices but no big outliers.
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I’ve always used after hours plumbing, call Luke 510-779-2837. He’s fair and honest.
Reply
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Pipeline Northwest did similar work for me in July for ~$1900 for a spot fix.
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For 5-7K you should consider replacing the water line. If it broke in one place it could give way in another soon. If you weld or sweat copper into an old line the old line becomes weak on both sides of the new connection.
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Mr. Rooter. Local, family owned. Prices up front.
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Why don't you just dig down and repair
DM me i have a person very reliable and family owned
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More or less similar price will be to replace entire main water. I replaced mine about 12 years ago, so about 1.5 years ago, I quoted materials to replace a main at my friends. 100 feet of PE pipe, 1-1/2" in diameter, 300 PSI pressure rating, plus 1-1/2" brass connectors on both ends, 1-1/2" brass ball valve, other materials. Price at Fergusson was about $1200 including tax. 1-1/4" option was about $200 cheaper. Digging will cost you something, but not dramatically expensive.
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I had good experience with Ally Plumbing, responsible, quick and price was fair. their number is 206-939-6037
Ally Plumbing
6424 South 143rd Place, Tukwila, WA
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YouTube it and do it yourself
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My bro had a water leak on his main line, right next to the house. He and sons dug the up blacktop and they repaired it with patch kits from Home Depot . Digging it up is a big part of the job but the repair is simple and easy to do.
A+ General Contracting & Handyman Services LLC
W: aplusgeneralcontracting.com
E: [email protected]
C: 832-414-4126/425-900-1713
Licensed, Bonded, and Insured.
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Depends - if you hire a local plumber they will charge you an outrageous amount for a flat fee. If you locate the leak and then hire a plumber for a spot fix, then they will charge based on work required to excavate and fix.
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Had a leak in black poly to my horse barn. Dug it myself and had plumber fix with pex and connectors. Replaced 2 ft section. One year warranty. $650. Gene Johnson plumber did the fix. Not sure what cost would be if they dig.
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I do not know if it is viable in your situation or more cost effective, but have you looked into a liner? Sewer line liner repair, or Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) lining, is a trenchless method that creates a new, seamless pipe inside your old, damaged sewer line, eliminating the need for extensive digging. Technicians insert a flexible, resin-coated liner, inflate it to conform to the existing pipe walls, and then cure it (often with hot air or steam) until it hardens, effectively fixing cracks, leaks, and root intrusion for 50+ years. This less-invasive, durable solution is faster and less disruptive than traditional excavation
Yes I did this at another home which was considerably older. The black poly pipe was still in good condition so don’t need to replace yet so spot fix appropriate
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How can we tell if there’s a main line break or leak?
First you need to locate your water meter and cutoff valve. It is usually located near the curb in the front of your property in a concrete vault. If you can’t find it then call your water company to locate it.
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Open the vault lid. Depending on type you’ll need a large screwdriver to stick through the narrow hole on top to pull the lid up. Inside you’ll find the water meter. Make sure all water in your home is shut off. If the meter is running then you have a leak in your water main line to your house. On the water main pipe just below the meter you will find a brass cutoff valve. You’ll need a water main shutoff tool you can get at Home Depot to turn it. Best to have one of these on hand for emergencies. They are not expensive.
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My 75 yo brother in Phoenix did it himself. Took him more than a week. He told me his shoulders, arms and back were sore the first couple of days until those muscles got back in shape, and he was feeling great by the end of it. His brother in law came by to view the work and get advice a few times, then asked if Joe would like to help him with the same problem. Joe politely declined.
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When the line breaks or leaks seriously between the meter and the house the line is old and compromised. It needs complete replacement not leak repair. I dug mine up years ago due to a leak and the plumber installed a new line. Left the old line in the ground. Unfortunately, $5-7k doesn’t sound too high if there digging the new trench.
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5-7K is the quote for a spot fix. $16-25K is for relining. Fortunately my poly water line is still in good shape and it was a tree root which broke it
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Its crazy how many bots are here advertising random plumbing services without reading the actual post
