
For San Jose resident Rui X., a severe front yard leak resulted in a fast, professional repair
that saved him over $1,700 out of pocket. Here's how it went down:
When Rui’s neighbor reported a completely soaked front lawn on a sunny April day, Rui quickly shut off his home's main water supply. His next step was to contact HomeServe to utilize his exterior water line repair plan.
R B Travis, a reliable local member of HomeServe’s contractor network, arrived promptly and identified a serious leak. Once digging began, the soil was fully saturated because the pipe had completely separated from its fitting. Even though the home was built in 1998, the damaged coupler had broken apart and required immediate attention. The contractor worked through several challenges, successfully reconnected the pipe, and restored water service.
Yes, a HomeServe repair plan can provide significant financial protection and peace of mind during plumbing emergencies. For Rui, the swift repair stopped an estimated 600-gallon water loss from progressing and saved him over $1,700*.
“Of course, when you purchase something like a repair plan, you hope to never have to use it,” said Rui. “But if the situation happens, you hope that it works exactly as designed.”
Rui first heard about HomeServe through a neighbor's recommendation in 2021 and signed up through the San Jose Water Company.
“Because of this experience, I immediately purchased water line repair plans for my rental properties,” said Rui.
“You simply never know when something like this can happen, and the ease of my experience has made me a happy customer.”
*Click here for information on national averages for exterior water line repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the common signs of an exterior water line leak?
A: Common indicators include unexplained puddles or a flooded yard during dry weather,
a sudden drop in water pressure, or an unexpectedly high water bill.
Q: Do standard homeowner policies cover exterior water line repairs?
A: Basic homeowners insurance policies often do not cover the wear and tear of exterior
service lines, which is why many homeowners opt for separate service line protection
plans.
Q: How quickly can a broken water line be repaired?
A: Once a professional contractor arrives and excavates the site, emergency repairs can
typically be completed within a few hours to a day, depending on the severity of the break
and soil conditions.
Published May 5, 2026