How to Perform a Self Check of Water Service Lines

If your interested in what type of service line you may have, you can perform a self check.  You can also report your findings to the City by submitting your information via our Service Line Survey.  Before submitting a survey, you will need to take a picture of a portion of your existing service line.  The information below will outline the steps required to test your service line.  

Service Line

A service line is a pipe that carries water from the city's water main to your home.  The City owns the service line from the main water supply to the water meter, while the customer owns the services line from the water meter to the home. 

What You Will Need

• A key, coin or flathead screwdriver
• Strong refrigerator magnet (the magnet will work with metal pipes)

How to Self-Check your Service Line

Step One - Locate the Water Meter

1. Locate the meter box: This is usually in the front or rear of the property line.
2. Open the meter box and examine the pipe.  Look at the service line going into the meter and leading into the home.  Remove the dirt if the service line is covered. 

Step Two - Determine Service Line Material Using Scratch and Magnet Test

First, carefully scratch the exposed pipe (like you would a lottery ticket) with a key, coin or flathead screwdriver.  Do this carefully, as to not put a hole in the pipe.  if the pipe is painted, use sandpaper to expose the metal first.

OR

Apply a magnet to the pipe if the is a metal pipe.  Compare the results with the following descriptions:

• A plastic pipe can usually be visually differentiated from other metal pipes.  It is smooth and can be white (PVC), black (HDPE), or blue (PEX) color.
  • Plastic pipes can be difficult to scratch, with little to no color change.  A magnet will not stick to plastic pipe. 
• A copper pipe is the same color as a penny or sometimes orange.  Older copper pipes may show as green or blue tints. 
  • Upon scratching, the scratch will show a shinny penny color.  A magnet will not stick to a copper pipe.
• A lead pipe is a dull gray or silver and soft.  
  • The scratch test will leave a noticeable shiny silver scratch on the surface.  A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.
• A galvanized steel pipe is black, dull gray or silver. 
  • It will be difficult to scratch on the surface.  A magnet will stick to galvanized steel pipe. 

Step Three - If you determine your service line is a lead, you can email the City with your information so we can document the information.  

You can email your name, address, and phone number, along with pictures to document you findings.  Please email publicworks@deerparktx.org