In Louisiana, dancing the night away at a good old-fashioned fais-do-do is fun, but a pool party in the front yard sans an actual pool isn’t anyone’s idea of how to “pass a good time.” And that’s exactly what can happen if your water service line ruptures and leaks. Repair and replacement of this underground water pipe can be costly, and you’ll want to be prepared for the expensive eventuality — unless you want the next time you yell “throw me somethin’, mister!” to mean a life preserver instead of beads. But here’s a win for Lose-ee-ann-a: From Grambling State down to the gulf, neither water line repair nor replacement is particularly pricey for the people of the Pelican State.

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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 down ’round the balmy bayou, water lines are significantly shallower, at just 3.81 feet on average. For further context: Way up in f-f-freezing Minnesota, the average pipe depth is 8.27 feet, the deepest in the U.S.

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 Louisiana, 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: $199

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 Louisiana, the fee for this is 10% lower than the national average.

Water Service Line Repair: $799

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.

Louisiana’s average repair price is about 23% less than the nation’s.

Water Service Line Replace: $2,973

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 Louisianans a whopping 17% less than the average American.

More Related Articles:

• How Much Does Water Main Line Repair Cost?
• 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: