Come tailgating season, Indiana yards are for cornhole and … well, not much else. But if your underground water line starts acting up, the annual tournament could be spoiled by a flooded playing field. Pipes? Underground? That sounds like it could be an expensive-to-fix combination. And you may be right about that — depending on how deep the technician has to dig to service your line. There is some good news: On average, it’s actually less expensive to repair or replace your water service line in Indiana than it is nationwide.

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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.

The nationwide average water service line depth is 4.58 feet, but in Indiana, these lines are buried 3.83 feet deep on average. Keep in mind that colder areas of the state may have deeper lines, while warmer, southern areas may have shallower ones. In either case, Hoosiers should count themselves lucky; in 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 Indiana, 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: $143

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 Indiana, the fee for this is 36% lower than the national average.

Water Service Line Repair: $889

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.

Indiana’s average repair price is about 14% lower than the nation’s.

Water Service Line Replace: $2,971

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 Indianians about 17% less than the average American.

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• How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Water Service Line?
• Water Line Insurance: What It Is and Why You Need It
• Should You Go Pro or Try DIY for Your Sewer Line Repair? Here’s What You Should Know
• Prevent Frozen-Pipe Problems by Knowing These Things Down Cold

Video produced and directed by Eric Rossi: