Nobody requests water main replacement in London Ontario because they want to — they do it because they have to. They call because they have to. Either there’s a leak underground that’s showing up as a wet spot in the yard or a sky-high water bill — or they’ve discovered they have a lead water line running into their home and they want it gone.
I’m Aron Oretan — a licensed plumber with 26 years in the trade and 16 years running Triton Home Service in London Ontario. Most of the water main replacements we do in this city are lead line removals in older neighborhoods. Here’s what that work actually involves and what London homeowners need to know before they call anyone.
Before we talk about replacement, it helps to understand who owns what. As a London Ontario homeowner, you own the waterline underground from the curb stop at the edge of your property all the way into your home and up to your water meter. You also own all the plumbing inside the house.
The City of London owns everything from the curb stop out to the street. So when we talk about replacing a water main, we’re specifically talking about that underground section from the curb stop into your home. That’s your responsibility as the homeowner — and your cost.
Reason 1 — There’s a leak. Sometimes the first sign is a consistently wet spot in the front yard that never dries out. Other times it’s a water bill that suddenly jumps for no obvious reason. When that happens and there’s no leak inside the house, the problem is likely underground. We dig to find it and assess the damage.
Reason 2 — It’s a lead line. This is by far the most common reason we replace water mains in London Ontario. Older homes — particularly in neighbourhoods like Old South, Wortley Village, and Old East Village — were built when lead was the standard material for water service lines. Many of those lines are still in the ground today.
The City of London has a free lead testing program that homeowners can access to find out whether their water contains lead. If you’re in an older London home and you’ve never had your water tested, that’s your first step. We can include a link to the City’s program at the bottom of this post. If your test comes back showing elevated lead levels, replacement is the right conversation to have.
Lead is dangerous. That’s not new information. But the specific risk with lead water lines is worth understanding clearly.
The danger is greatest when water sits stagnant in the line for an extended period — overnight, for example. Lead leaches into still water. So the first draw from your tap in the morning after hours of no use carries the highest lead concentration. That’s the water you don’t want to drink.
While you’re waiting for replacement, the City of London recommends running your water before drinking it to flush the stagnant water from the line. However the permanent solution is replacement — not behavioural workarounds.
Timing depends on a few factors. In winter, ground conditions make digging difficult so we sometimes schedule replacements for spring. Furthermore, our availability plays a role. If you discover a lead line in December, we’ll talk through the timeline honestly and tell you when we can get to you.
Here’s what most homeowners get wrong about water main replacement — they assume it means tearing up their entire front yard, digging up the sidewalk, and living in a construction zone for days.
That’s not how we do it.
For most London Ontario homes, we dig one or two holes depending on the distance from the curb stop to the house. If the curb stop is within twenty feet of the foundation, we typically dig one hole near the curb stop in the front yard. Then we use a pneumatic directional tool that punches a hole straight through the ground underground — no digging the full length, no tearing up the sidewalk, no excavating under the foundation.
That directional tool threads the new line through the ground from the curb stop hole straight into the house. As a result, your yard disruption is minimal compared to what most homeowners expect.
The new line we install is Municipax — a flexible, durable material approved by the City of London for water service lines. Furthermore, the City now requires one-inch water lines for all new installations. So if your old lead line was three-quarter inch — which many older London lines were — you’re also getting increased water flow with the new installation.
We also install a tracer wire alongside the new line. That’s a City of London requirement. It allows the line to be located underground in the future without digging.
Once the new line is in and the water is restored, you don’t need to do anything special. We handle everything — the connection at the curb stop, the connection inside the house, and the City’s required documentation. You turn your tap on and the water flows.
What you’ll notice is better flow. Going from an older three-quarter inch lead line to a new one-inch Municipax line makes a measurable difference in water pressure and volume throughout the house. Furthermore, and most importantly, your water is safer. The lead line that’s been in the ground since your home was built is gone. Replaced with a material that meets current City of London standards.
That’s not a small thing. For families with young children or anyone with health concerns, removing a lead service line is one of the most impactful home improvements you can make — even if it’s not one you’d ever choose for fun.
Learn more about Triton’s plumbing services in London Ontario
If you’re not sure whether your home has a lead water line, start with the City of London’s free lead testing program before you call anyone. The program allows homeowners to test their water for lead concentration. If results come back elevated, you have the information you need to make a replacement decision.
For reference and to access the program directly visit the City of London water system page linked below. We can also answer questions about what your test results mean when you call us.
How do I know if I have a lead water line in my London Ontario home? If your home was built before the 1950s, there’s a reasonable chance the original water service line is lead. The best way to confirm is through the City of London’s free lead testing program. Elevated lead levels in your water are a strong indicator. You can also have a licensed plumber inspect the visible portion of your water service line where it enters your home.
Does water main replacement mean digging up my whole front yard? Not with Triton. We use a pneumatic directional tool that punches through the ground underground, minimizing excavation to one or two holes depending on your property. We don’t dig the full length of the line, tear up the sidewalk, or excavate under your foundation in most cases.
How long does water main replacement take? Most water main replacements take one day. However timing depends on the length of the line, ground conditions, and whether any complications arise during excavation. We give you a realistic timeline before we start.
What material do you use to replace the water main? We install Municipax — a flexible, durable material approved by the City of London for water service lines. Furthermore, the City now requires one-inch lines for all new installations, so you also benefit from improved water flow compared to older three-quarter inch lines.
What is a tracer wire and why does it matter? A tracer wire is an electrical wire installed alongside the new water line underground. The City of London requires it on all new water service installations. It allows the line to be located in the future using electronic equipment — without digging. So if anyone ever needs to find your water line, they can do it without tearing up your yard.
Do I need to do anything after the water main is replaced? Nothing. We handle everything — the connections, the City documentation, and cleanup. You turn your tap on and the water flows. The only thing that changes is what’s underground and what’s in your glass.
How much does water main replacement cost in London Ontario? Every property is different. Cost depends on the distance from the curb stop to the house, ground conditions, and the complexity of the connection inside. Contact Triton for an honest assessment and quote based on your specific property.
If you’ve received elevated lead test results, if you suspect a leak in your water service line, or if you simply know your home is old enough to have a lead line and you want it gone — call Triton Home Service.
We use directional drilling to minimize yard disruption. We install City-approved Municipax with the required tracer wire. We handle everything from the curb stop to the meter. And we give you an honest assessment before anyone picks up a shovel.
Contact Triton Home Service to book your water main replacement in London Ontario
For reference: City of London Water System and Lead Testing Program — City of London Ontario
Aron Oretan is a Licensed Red Seal Plumber and Steamfitter, UA Certified Instructor, and founder of Triton Home Service. With 26 years in the trade, licences in plumbing, steamfitting, and gas fitting, and five years teaching at Fanshawe College, he brings classroom expertise and field experience to every job in London, Woodstock, and Southwestern Ontario. Phone: 226-270-6424 | tritonservice.ca
