El Mirage homes are served by the City of El Mirage Water Services Division, and a leak on the buried pipe from the meter to the house is the kind of repair a homeowner hires a plumber for. A soggy yard, poor pressure or a higher bill are the usual tip-offs. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in El Mirage.
About El Mirage
El Mirage sits on the west bank of the Agua Fria River near Grand Avenue, a city settled by farm workers in the early 1930s that has kept its farming roots while adding newer neighborhoods. The City's Water Services Division produces and distributes drinking water for El Mirage and also for the Original Town Site of Surprise, and the City runs its own wastewater reclamation facility. The City says it is working to identify service line materials throughout its water system under its lead and copper program.
First steps
- If water is gushing, close the main shutoff at the house right away.
- Turn off irrigation, the pool fill and any running appliances.
- Watch the meter for a few minutes. If it moves, the leak is past the meter.
- If water is coming up at the meter box or the street, contact the City's Water Services Division, since that section is theirs to check.
- If the wet area is between the meter and the house, call a plumber to locate the leak before digging.
Symptoms and likely causes
| What you see | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Wet or sinking ground between meter and house | Leak in the private service line |
| Standing water in the meter box | Meter or City-side connection |
| Low pressure throughout the home | Service line leak or a failing pressure regulator |
| Bill up, yard dry | Leak inside the house, under the slab, or a running toilet |
| Muddy water after nearby digging | Line disturbed or cracked during work |
What sets the cost
- Home age. Older houses near the original town can have older pipe; newer subdivisions usually have a fitting or damage problem instead.
- Distance. The farther the meter from the house, the longer the dig.
- Surfaces. Concrete, pavers and landscaping along the line add restoration.
- Scope. One repaired section versus a full new line.
- Permits. The City's Building Safety division says permits are needed for some repair work; the plumber can confirm whether yours qualifies.
El Mirage's water is softer than much of the Valley, with the City reporting 4 to 9 grains per gallon and an average of 7, so scale is less of a concern here than in many neighboring cities. A service line leak is more about joints, soil movement and damage than mineral buildup.
Water Line Repair questions in El Mirage
How do I find out whether my service line has lead or galvanized pipe?
Does hard water damage the service line itself?
What should I do first if the line breaks and water is pouring out?
Why is one patch of my yard wet when it hasn't rained?
More plumbing services in El Mirage
Water Line Repair nearby
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