Water Line Repair in Princeton, NC

Princeton's homes and water

Homes inside Princeton are on town water. The surrounding 27569 area is far bigger than the town, and rural homes there are a mix of Johnston County water and private wells. Before anything is dug near the meter, call Town Hall to find out where the Town's part of the line ends and yours begins, and which office handles the plumbing permit.

The housing is older than the Johnston County suburbs to the west. The median Princeton home was built in 1977 and about 57% predate 1980. Service lines from that era are often galvanized steel or early copper. Galvanized pipe rusts from the inside, gradually cutting flow and then leaking at its threaded joints. Where a line has already been patched once, the next failure is often close by. Lots along US 70 and the older streets near the Princeton School also tend to have mature trees whose roots can press against a buried line.

Pipe types you may find

Signs to look for

• Wet or sunken ground between the meter and the house
• Rust-colored water when a tap first opens
• Flow that has weakened over time
• Meter movement with everything turned off

Timing

Older lines often give out in the coldest stretch of winter, when the exposed pipe at the foundation takes the most stress, or in late summer when dry clay pulls away from the pipe. If a leak is small, the plumber may be able to schedule the work, but a line that's gushing should be shut off at the main valve right away. Keep the meter box lid clear and tell the plumber about any past repairs to the line, fences or outbuildings over its path, and trees near the route. That helps the plumber plan the dig and avoid surprises once the ground is open.