You may live in Maine, but you probably don’t think about the underground water service line that runs from your main to your house any more than your fellow New Englander. But between the dangers from the Pine Tree State’s encroaching pine tree roots and its famously freezing winters, Mainers need to be aware of the potential for pipe peril — lest they find themselves with a miniature Penobscot Bay pooling up in their yard, but without the benefit of good lobstering. On the bright side where water line repairs are concerned, Maine homeowners on average pay a lot less for repairs and a little less for replacements than Americans at large.

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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. In Maine, these lines are buried about half a foot deeper than that, at 5.0 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 Maine, 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: $170

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 Maine, the fee for this is 23% less than the national average.

Water Service Line Repair: $612

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.

Maine’s average repair price is about 41% lower than the nation’s.

Water Service Line Replace: $3,330

Small sections of leaky or broken pipe can be repaired, but massive clogs or fully compromised pipes might necessitate a full replacement. Due in part to how deep your pipes are buried, water service line replacements cost Mainers about 7% 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: