A communication pipe connects a property to a municipal water supply, with maintenance being the responsibility of the water and sewer company. Warning signs of a leak include soft soil and puddles. Utilities may temporarily shut off water to do maintenance work, and homeowners can request a utility map to avoid damaging buried lines.
A communication pipe is a pipe that runs from the water supply to a property line to allow a structure to connect with a municipal water supply. Legally, the maintenance of this pipe is the responsibility of the water and sewer company, although residents should report any problems they notice rather than waiting for the company to identify them. The communication pipe connects to a valve or faucet, with a supply pipe to the house running from the other side of the valve. The supply pipe is usually paid for by the property owner.
Utilities are careful when laying the communication pipe. They usually want to keep the length short to make it easier to locate and repair leaks, and also need to consider other buried utilities in the area, including sewer, electricity, and telephone. The pipe is usually easy to identify, as there will be an access hatch to get to the faucet. Utility workers can seal off a home from the municipal water supply when people aren’t paying their bills, there are concerns about contamination, or repairs need to be made to the line.
When people identify a leak in their water system, the first step is usually to examine the internal plumbing to see if there are any leaking fixtures within a facility. If the plumbing appears healthy, the supply or communication pipes can look for signs of a problem. Warning signs can include soft, boggy soil or puddles of water. Because communication pipes often run under sidewalks and sidewalks, it’s sometimes hard to find a leak until it becomes serious.
Periodically, a utility may need to do work on a communication pipe or main and they will temporarily shut off the water. This job may include cleaning pipes, removing blockages, and replacing broken or worn pipes. Many municipalities wait to replace old pipes until they break or someone identifies a safety issue like lead leaching. Curious homeowners may want to take a look, as they may have the chance to see ancient ceramic or wood pipes as workmen carry out the replacement.
If people are unsure of the location of a communication pipe and fear damaging it or other buried utilities while digging, they can request a utility map for their area. Many utilities also have a hotline that people can call before sinking trenches or engaging in other excavation operations. A utility employee will come out upon request to point out buried lines so people know to avoid them.
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