How Much Does It Cost to Repair or Replace a Water Service Line in Arkansas?

by Matt Schmitz
cost guide, wsl

The springs in Arkansas may be hot, but the winters can be freezing — and if your home’s underground water service line cracks from the cold, you could be looking at an emergency repair bill that puts a chill on your plans for your disposable income. The good news for Arkansawyer homeowners who don’t want a miniature Lake Ouachita pooling up in their lawn is that water-line repair and replacement in the Natural State generally comes at a substantial discount compared with what the average American pays.

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Your exterior water service line carries water from the public water main into your home. But make no mistake: Once the pipes run under your property, they’re your responsibility — so you’re likely on the hook for any repair or replacement costs.

How deep your pipes are buried deeply impacts the price you pay for these services. Water service lines are buried as deep as local building codes require — but usually, the depth is determined by the frost line in your area. And the deeper the technician must dig to get to your broken or otherwise compromised line, the higher the cost.

graphic visualization showing a cut-away of a home exposing its rooms and home systems specifically focused on the water service line

The nationwide average water service line depth is 4.58 feet, but in Arkansas, these lines are buried nearly a foot shallower, at 3.67 feet on average. For context, in f-f-f-freezing Minnesota, pipe depth is more than 8 feet.

Repair and replacement costs also vary depending on where you live. The national average for diagnosis is $222, for repair is $1,039 and for replacement is $3,581.

Below, you’ll find average service prices based on aggregated HomeServe data reported by our network of contractors across Arkansas, which should give you an approximation of how much you’ll pay to fix your out-of-commission water service line.

Water Service Line Diagnosis: $230

Before any work can begin, the technician will need to come out and run some tests to see what’s wrong with your system. In Arkansas, the fee for this is 4% higher than the national average.

Water Service Line Repair: $931

A whole host of things can cause trouble with your exterior water service line — from invading tree roots to clogs to general wear and tear. Whatever’s up with your system, the repair process will likely start with excavation to expose the pipe. Depending on your situation, the technician may need to clear a blockage, find a leak or fix the pipe — and, of course, fill the hole back in.

Water line repairs cost Arkansans some 10% less than the Americans at large.

Water Service Line Replace: $2,687

Small sections of leaky or broken pipe can be repaired, but massive clogs or fully compromised pipes might necessitate a full replacement. Water service line replacements cost Arkansas homeowners some 25% less than the average American.

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Video produced and directed by Eric Rossi: