Winter’s more than a season up there in North Dakota — it’s a way of life. You guys hardly bat an eye at frigid temps, even as the mercury dips well below zero. That is snowmobiling weather, after all. But while you might enjoy the winter weather, it can really take a toll on your underground water service line. A broken pipe is never a good thing, but add in the freezing temps, and you’ve got a real mess on your hands. Unfortunately, if your whole water service line needs to be fully replaced, you’re likely going to have to shell out more than the average American. However, North Dakota denizens typically pay much less than the average when it comes to water service line repairs.

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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. Unfortunately, we don’t have data on how deep pipes are buried in North Dakota, but, for context, in neighboring 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 the state, 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: $198

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 North Dakota, the fee for this is about 11% lower than the national average.

Water Service Line Repair: $474

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.

North Dakota’s average repair price is less than half of the nation’s.

Water Service Line Replace: $5,243

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 North Dakotans about 46% more 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: