While working on the new DWV for the half bath (Thanks for all the tips!) I noticed a steady drip from the main supply line just where it comes through the foundation. There is some obvious corrosion there. The cheap part of me wants to ignore it since it's before the water meter but the practical side of me says I should fix this before it ruptures and I have 3' of water in the basement. Unfortunately I'm envisioning a back hoe and a 4 digit repair bill to run a new main supply into the house.

Any chance this is the city's problem?

SC-tbfd - You said that it was leaking before the meter, I think you are talking about the main water line . The utility co. water dept. is responsible for ( UP ) to the meter on there side of the meter. I would contact the water dept. and have them to take a look see and get it repaired ,asap Good luck & GOD BLESS ::: F.B.E.

FBE's correct. If it's ahead of the meter it's on them. If it's on your side it's on you. Good luck, Tom

Hi everyone:

Hey SC... you need to call your local water department and ask them this question.

As these guys suggested.. in their area, city/town responsible for anything behind the water meter.

However, in my area, homeowner is responsible for piping from the street.

So, seems to be town/city dependent answer. Let us know what you find... Mark

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Well, from what I can gather in my city the homeowner is responsible up to the curb shutoff (I haven't actually called the city yet since in this area it's highly likely that they could force me to address the leak by turning off the water... maybe extreme but it's what I've heard) I have a plumber coming by in the morning to take a look.

The main line is 3/4" galvanized up to the meter. the leak is at the point an electrical ground wire is clamped to the main, about 1.5" from the stone foundation. I don't believe that a repair is possible on the pipe that is currently showing. I'm hoping that there is a way to chip out the foundation around the pipe to get past the corrosion and make a repair there.

What types of suggestions should I be expecting the plumber to make? Is it possible to re-tap threads in galvanized with limited access? Some type of compression fitting?

If only they made sharkbites for 3/4 galvanized...

Thanks for any help

They do make repair couplings for galvanized, see page 7:

Legend Valve (http://www.legendvalve.com/catalog.asp?catURL=SP)

Is there a dialectric coupling between the galvanized and the meter?

That's good to know at least, there might be hope yet. Let's just hope code allows it here.

Dielectric coupling? Would that be to prevent corrosion between dissimilar metals? Sort of a coupling with an insulator in it?

I don't think there is one, but the corrosion isn't at the meter connection, it's under the electrical grounding clamp, would it still make a difference?

Dialectric coupling - your reasoning is correct.

For corrosion to occur you need two dissimilar metals in contact with one another and an electrolyte (water or moisture).

It's probably in your best interest to re-locate the ground clamp to it's own ground rod.
The copper to galvanized will corrode over time when moisture is present.

You corrosion going on from the inside of the pipe and the outside of the pipe. The one inside is probably occurring at a faster rate. There probably is some ground currents making corrosion worse on the clamp.

Recommendations:

1) Route ground clamp to it's own ground rod
(This needs to be done professionaly otherwise the electronics equipment in your house can get severely damaged. i.e. don't just lift the clamp)
2) install dialectric coupling
3) Ground rest of plumbing system to main panel
4) Repair or replace galvanized pipe to curb stop.

That's good to know at least, there might be hope yet. let's just hope code allows it here.

dielectric coupling? Would that be to prevent corrosion between dissimilar metals? sort of a coupling with an insulator in it?

I don't think there is one, but the corrosion isn't at the meter connection, it's under the electrical grounding clamp, would it still make a difference?

This sounds like a combination of electrolysis from the grounding wire and corrosion from the lime in the concrete.

If it were me, I'd dig it up and replace it -- Galvanized pipe is seam welded, and corrosion at the seam weld has a tendency to travel along the seam, sometimes for the full length of the pipe.

SC-tbfd, Your original question was, "where does 'my' plumbing start?"
The question should have read, " Where does my responsibility began?" and I may have given you the wrong information. I gave you Florida law where all the water meters are curb side. Back in Wisconsin, where the water meters are in the basement I recall the homeowner's responsibility begins at the property lot line. My apologizes for any problem my answer may have caused. Tom

No problem at all Tom, you always give good advise here. I suspected it might differ by municipality.

First plumber came by and just said 'oh that's got to be replaced' no discussion of a repair at all. Rough verbal quote was $2500 to $3000, but he had to talk to his 'digger'

The main runs under the foundation of a porch addition with a poured concrete floor (that seems like poor planning to me)

I plan on getting at least one more estimate but it's not looking good.

I'm still open to any other suggestions.

KISS gave you great advice.
You corrosion going on from the inside of the pipe and the outside of the pipe. The one inside is probably occurring at a faster rate. There probably is some ground currents making corrosion worse on the clamp.
Recommendations:
1) Route ground clamp to it's own ground rod
(This needs to be done professionaly otherwise the electronics equipment in your house can get severely damaged. i.e. don't just lift the clamp)
2) install dialectric coupling
3) Ground rest of plumbing system to main panel
4) Repair or replace galvanized pipe to curb stop.
Growler gave you another option,
This sounds like a combination of electrolysis from the grounding wire and corrosion from the lime in the concrete.
If it were me, I'd dig it up and replace it -- Galvanized pipe is seam welded, and corrosion at the seam weld has a tendency to travel along the seam, sometimes for the full length of the pipe.
Both are good but if it were me I would opt for a repair rather then a replacement. Probably because I have a galvanized water service that's over 50 years old. Regards, Tom

Sc-tbfd - IN this area it don't matter where the water5 meter is located at , if it's at the curb, in the yard , or in the basement . The home owner is responsible for the water lines
Starting at there side of the water meater!! and I have worked in a lot of citys that were the same WAy.BUT every were you go they have different ways , :: SC since your water line comes out from under your p0urch , (what I would do is to relocate it over where it misses The poruch, That will save you quite a bit of money that way . I hope this thought helps, Good Luck AND GOD BLESS :: F.B.E.

Where I'm at the homeowner's responsibility starts just after the curb stop. The water meter is in the house with an RF transmitter for reading.

You can borrow the 5 sided wrench and the tool to run off the water outside from the water company for a small deposit.

So, if it's their unmetered water leaking in your house, it's still your responsibility unless you pay a few dollars a month for insurance for that part of the line.