In Selma, about 55% of homes were built before 1980, so a leaking water line is often older pipe giving out. A plumber can find the leak and repair the section or replace the line from the meter to the house. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Selma.
Selma's water and older homes
Selma runs two water systems. The main town system draws from the town's own groundwater wells, while a separate Selma-Countyline system distributes surface water bought from Johnston County East. Your bill shows which one serves you. The housing is older than the Johnston County suburbs to the west: the median Selma home was built in 1974 and about 55% predate 1980, especially in the Downtown and West Selma historic districts. Lines from that era are often galvanized steel or early copper. Ask the Town where its responsibility ends at the meter before booking private work.
What to do now
- Close the main valve where the line enters the house if water is flowing.
- Watch the meter with everything off. Movement after the house valve is closed means the buried line is leaking.
- Contact the Town if water is coming up in the street or at the meter.
- Note the water's color. Rust that shows only at your house suggests old pipe on your side.
- Get a plumber to trace and expose the private line, which 811 doesn't mark.
Symptom guide
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Flow weaker every year | Rust buildup inside galvanized pipe |
| Wet spot along the line's path | Leak at a joint or crack |
| Brown water first thing in the morning | Corroding metal service pipe |
| Water in the street or at the meter | Town side; contact the Town |
| Meter moving with all taps closed | Hidden leak on the service line |
Cost factors
- Pipe condition. Corroded galvanized lines are usually replaced, not patched.
- Run length and depth.
- Old lots with mature trees, brick walks or porches over the line.
- Permits. Selma requires Town zoning approval first, then Johnston County Building Inspections handles the permit.
We connect Selma callers with independent local plumbers and don't do the work ourselves. When you call, say which of the two town systems bills you if you know, describe where the ground is wet and mention whether the water has looked rusty. Once the line is open, ask to see the old pipe; its condition usually settles the repair-or-replace question quickly. If water is gushing before help arrives, close the main valve at the house.
Water Line Repair questions in Selma
When is replacing the whole line smarter than fixing one leak?
Is a permit needed to repair or replace a water service line?
Can a leaking service line cause weak pressure throughout the house?
How do I use the water meter to tell if the buried line is leaking?
More plumbing services in Selma
Water Line Repair nearby
Sources
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