Repair or replace: what decides it
The pipe material
Copper and PE in good shape are worth repairing. Galvanized steel, polybutylene and lead are usually worth replacing.
The leak history
A first leak is a repair. A second or third leak on the same line is a sign the whole line is wearing out.
Water pressure
If pressure was low long before the leak, a narrowed galvanized line may be the cause, and a new line fixes both.
What’s above it
A line under a driveway or mature trees may be cheaper to replace by boring a new path than to dig up and repair.
How a repair at the marked spot works
- Pinpoint firstThe leak is located and marked. See water line leak detection in Franklin.
- Request 811 locatesIndiana law requires a call to Indiana 811 at least two full working days before digging, so gas, electric and cable lines are marked.
- Dig one holeA small excavation at the mark exposes the pipe.
- Repair and testThe damaged section is replaced, the line is pressurized and checked, then the hole is backfilled and the lawn restored.
Ready to fix it? Call and tell us what you’re noticing in your Franklin home.
(877) 729-0265Replacing an older Franklin service line
A full replacement runs a new line, usually PE or copper, from the utility’s shutoff near the curb to the house, below the frost line (about 30 to 36 inches in central Indiana). It can be trenched across the yard or pulled underground between two pits.
In older neighborhoods, a few things come up often: lines that enter through a basement wall that needs resealing, meter pits that need work at the same time, and old valves inside the house that should be replaced while the water is off. Your plumber coordinates the shutoff and reconnection with the utility, and the City of Franklin if your job needs a permit.
Trenched or trenchless?
| Trenched | Trenchless | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A trench is dug from curb to house | The new line is pulled or bored between two small pits |
| Good for | Open lawn, shorter runs | Lines under driveways, walks, trees or established gardens |
| Restoration | Sod and soil along the whole trench | Only the two pits |
| Price | Often lower per foot | Often higher per foot, but less to restore |
National guides put a full replacement at roughly $2,000 to $5,800 trenched and $3,200 to $8,000 trenchless. See water line replacement cost in Indiana.
If your line might be lead
Some very old Franklin homes may still have a lead service line. Indiana American Water runs a lead service line replacement program that replaces lead lines, including the customer-owned part, at no direct cost to customers. If your line could be lead, contact the utility before you pay for a replacement.
Water Line Repair & Replacement: questions from Franklin homeowners
Should I replace my galvanized water line or just fix the leak?
If one joint on a galvanized line has rusted through, the others are the same age. A repair stops this leak, but replacement is often cheaper than repeated digs, and it usually improves water pressure too.
How deep is a new water line in Franklin?
Below the frost line, which is about 30 to 36 inches in central Indiana, so the line doesn’t freeze.
Does Indiana American Water pay to replace lead lines?
Its lead service line replacement program replaces lead lines, including the customer side, at no direct cost to customers. Ask the utility if your line might be lead.
Do I need to call 811?
Yes. Indiana law requires an 811 request at least two full working days before digging. The plumber doing the repair usually places it.
Guides that go deeper
Sources: Indiana American Water; Town of Bargersville Water Utility; Indiana 811; Indiana Administrative Code, Title 327. Updated October 1, 2026.