Why do water line problems occur?
Water supply lines are pressurized, meaning that water is applying a constant amount of force to the inside of the pipes that guide it to a final destination.  This pressure is what allows water to come out of your fixtures in a constant stream but it, along with the scouring action of the water moving through the pipes, takes its toll and causes wear and tear.  If you live in an area with hard water that erosion occurs even more quickly because the relatively high amount of calcium and/or lime basically acts like sandpaper against the insides of your water supply pipes.  Given enough time, any water supply system will need to be completely replaced.

Why do water line problems matter if I'm still getting running water?
Leaks in your pipes cause damage, waste a tremendous amount of water, and cost you lots of money.  Damaged or improperly-functioning water lines can prevent a sufficient amount of water from reaching your fixtures, which can be anything from inconvienient (if it takes longer to shower) to outright dangerous (if backflow occurs, leading to a contaminated water supply).

How much water is wasted by a leaky faucet?
A slow drip from a single leaky faucet can easily waste 2 gallons per day, which translates to approximately 60 gallons per month and 720 gallons per year.  A steady, 1/32" stream of water will waste almost 270 gallons per day (8,100 gallons per month / 97,200 gallons per year).

Where do water line problems occur?
Water problems can occur in any of the following locations:

1. Water Main - The property owner's responsibility begins at the water meter.  The water main runs from the municipal water meter to the building.  The main shutoff valve should be located somewhere near the point where the water pipes actually enter the building.  It is important to know where the shutoff valve is, so that in the event of flooding water does not keep pouring onto your property and cause damage.
   
2. Water Branch Lines - Branch lines refer to the water lines that come out of the main line an go toward various sections of the building where the water will be needed by a particular grouping of fixtures.  For example, if one part of the building has a bathroom with a sink and a toilet, a branch line will come out of the main line and go toward that bathroom.
3. Water Supply Lines - In this context the term "Water Supply Lines" refers to the lines that actually carry water to each of the individual fixtures that a branch line services.  In other words, supply lines take water from the branch lines to their final destinations.  If a branch line carries water from the main line toward a bathroom with a sink and toilet, the branch line will then have two lines coming out of it: one for the sink, and the other for the toilet.

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