Last updated: May 18, 2026
If there is danger right now
811 is not an emergency repair number. If there is a gas smell, hissing sound, sparking, downed wire, sewage in the home, flooding near electric service, or a sinkhole forming, treat it as a safety problem first.
- Gas smell or hissing: Leave the area. Do not use switches, phones, flames, or tools near the leak. Call 911 and the gas utility from a safe place.
- Electric line or shock risk: Stay away from the area. Do not touch water, fences, tools, or equipment that may be energized. Call 911 and the electric utility.
- Sewage backup: Keep children, pets, and vulnerable adults away. Avoid direct contact. Call the sewer utility, local health department, or a licensed plumber.
- Water line break: Shut off the main valve only if you can do it safely. Call the water utility and ask whether the break is on the public side or private side.
If the home is unsafe to live in after a declared disaster, FEMA’s Individual Assistance may help with eligible uninsured or under-insured serious needs, but it is not a substitute for insurance and does not cover every loss.
What this guide helps you sort out
This guide is for homeowners who need to repair or inspect something under the ground or near underground lines. Examples include sewer laterals, water lines, buried electric, gas service, septic lines, drain tile, well lines, irrigation, or cable.
Three issues often get mixed together:
- Safety: You need underground lines marked before digging.
- Responsibility: You need to know whether the utility, city, county, or homeowner is responsible for the broken line.
- Payment help: You need to know whether a local program, utility plan, insurance endorsement, disaster program, or nonprofit may help.
There is no national grant that pays every homeowner’s water or sewer line repair. Help is usually local and depends on income, age, disability, disaster damage, lead status, utility rules, or health and safety need.
What 811 does, and what it does not do
811 is the free national before-you-dig service. A homeowner, contractor, plumber, landscaper, fence installer, or other excavator contacts 811 or the state 811 site before digging. The request is sent to utility operators so they can mark the approximate location of buried lines with paint or flags.
Federal pipeline damage-prevention rules require excavators to use an available one-call system before excavating near regulated underground pipelines and to wait for pipeline operators to mark facilities before digging. You can read the federal rule in 49 CFR Part 196. State laws add their own timing, ticket, tolerance-zone, and enforcement rules.
| Issue | What 811 can do | What 811 usually cannot do |
|---|---|---|
| Utility marking | Notify member utilities so they can mark their buried public or utility-owned lines. | Guarantee that every buried line on private property is marked. |
| Repair payment | Help reduce the chance of damage during digging. | Pay for sewer, water, gas, electric, or drainage repairs. |
| Contractor approval | Create a locate ticket for the work area. | License, insure, supervise, or recommend your contractor. |
| Private lines | May help identify public utility operators in the area. | Mark many owner-installed or privately owned lines, such as irrigation, septic, private lighting, pool lines, or lines to a detached garage. |
Private-line rules are one of the biggest surprises. Some state 811 centers warn that private utilities between a meter and a building may not be marked, and may include sewer lines, sprinklers, septic lines, private lighting, pool lines, or secondary electric lines. See this homeowner warning from OKIE811 homeowners as an example. Your state may use different words, so check your own state 811 center.
Fastest safe steps before anyone digs
Do these steps even if the dig seems small. A mailbox post, fence post, deck footing, trench drain, tree planting, sewer cleanout, or repair pit can still strike a line.
- Pause the work. Do not let a contractor start digging while you are still guessing where lines are.
- Mark the work area. Many states ask you to outline the planned dig area with white paint, flags, stakes, or an electronic map before requesting a locate.
- Contact 811. Use 811 or your state 811 website a few business days before digging. Exact notice periods and ticket life vary by state.
- Save the ticket number. Ask the contractor for the ticket number if the contractor submits it.
- Wait for responses. Do not dig just because one utility marked. State systems may show whether each utility has responded.
- Look for private lines. Think about sprinklers, propane, septic, lighting, dog fence, pool, detached garage, and old owner-installed lines.
- Dig carefully near marks. Utility marks show an approximate location. The safe-digging zone and hand-digging rules vary by state.
| Line color | Common meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Electric power lines, cables, conduit, lighting | Shock, fire, outage, or death risk |
| Yellow | Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, gaseous materials | Explosion, fire, inhalation, or evacuation risk |
| Orange | Communication, alarm, signal, cable, fiber | Loss of phone, internet, alarm, or emergency access |
| Blue | Potable water | Flooding, water loss, contamination risk |
| Green | Sewer and drain lines | Sewage exposure, backup, or sanitation risk |
| Purple | Reclaimed water, irrigation, slurry | Non-drinking water or irrigation conflict |
| White | Proposed excavation | Shows where you plan to dig |
| Pink | Temporary survey markings | Helps identify survey work |
The color meanings above come from the national marking system described in the CGA color code. Your state or utility may add details to the marks.
Phone script for 811: “I am a homeowner planning a repair at [address]. The work area is [front yard/back yard/side yard] near [driveway, meter, sidewalk, tree, cleanout]. The project is [sewer repair/water line repair/fence/post/trench]. What is the earliest legal start date, how do I check utility responses, and when does this ticket expire?”
Service line repairs: who may be responsible?
A service line is the pipe or wire that connects your home to a public system or utility system. Common examples are the water service line from the main to the house, the sewer lateral from the house to the sewer main, the gas service line, and underground electric or communication lines.
Responsibility is local. In one place, the homeowner may be responsible from the house to the property line. In another place, the split may be at the meter, curb stop, cleanout, tap, or main. Some utilities own and maintain more of the line than others. Some cities have special repair programs. Some utility bills include optional protection plans. Some older homes may qualify for lead service line replacement help.
Practical tip: Ask the utility to tell you the exact responsibility point in writing. Use words like “curb stop,” “meter,” “property line,” “cleanout,” “tap,” and “main” so the answer is clear.
Water service lines
For a suspected underground water leak, call the water utility first. Ask whether the leak appears to be on the public side or customer side. If the home may have a lead service line, ask whether the utility has a service line inventory, a replacement schedule, or a customer-side replacement program. EPA says communities, water systems, and homeowners can use lead service line resources to identify funding, plan inventories, and replace lead service lines.
EPA also lists funding paths for lead service line work, including the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, disadvantaged-community grants, and HUD CDBG as possible sources for states, utilities, and communities. These funds usually flow through state or local systems, not as a check directly from EPA to a homeowner. Start with your water utility and state drinking water agency, and review EPA’s lead funding sources.
Sewer laterals and drain lines
Sewer line help is even more local. Some cities inspect, clean, or repair part of the public sewer connection. Some require the homeowner to hire a licensed plumber for the private lateral. Some have loan, grant, or reimbursement programs for low-income homeowners or older housing. Ask the sewer utility whether there is a lateral program, hardship fund, payment plan, or repair ordinance.
If sewage is backing up into the home, do not wait for a grant search before protecting health. Ask the sewer utility whether there is a public blockage. Ask a licensed plumber whether a camera inspection is needed. Save photos, invoices, inspection notes, and any utility findings.
Gas, electric, and communication lines
Do not try to expose or repair gas or electric service lines yourself. Call the utility. For communication lines, contact the cable, phone, fiber, or internet provider. If a contractor says a line is “probably abandoned,” require written confirmation from the utility or owner before digging through it.
Phone script for the utility: “I have a possible [water/sewer/gas/electric] service line problem at [address]. Can you tell me where utility responsibility ends and homeowner responsibility begins? Do you offer inspections, emergency shutoff, leak adjustment, repair assistance, lead service line replacement, or a payment plan?”
Where help may exist
Service line repairs can cost more than a household can handle, but the help path depends on why the line failed and who administers money in your area. Start local before paying a lead-generation website or filling out a form that promises a grant.
| Possible help | Best starting point | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Utility repair or hardship program | Your water, sewer, gas, or electric utility | Ask about leak adjustments, payment plans, customer assistance, lateral programs, and lead service line replacement. |
| Local home repair program | City, county, or state housing department | Ask whether CDBG or homeowner rehabilitation funds can cover urgent plumbing, sewer, or water repairs. |
| Rural home repair help | USDA Rural Development | Ask whether Section 504 can cover health and safety repairs for a very-low-income rural homeowner. |
| Disaster damage | FEMA and SBA after a declared disaster | Ask whether damaged wells, septic systems, or service-line-related damage should be added to your disaster application. |
| Nonprofit repair help | Habitat, Rebuilding Together, Community Action, Area Agency on Aging, 211 | Ask whether they have open repair funds or can refer you to a local program. |
| Insurance or service-line coverage | Your homeowners insurer or warranty provider | Ask whether you already have service-line coverage, sewer backup coverage, or a utility protection plan. |
Local housing and CDBG programs
HUD’s CDBG program gives formula grants to states, cities, and counties for community development needs, principally for low- and moderate-income people. Local governments can design repair or rehabilitation programs with their own rules, waitlists, repair caps, lien rules, inspection steps, and contractor requirements. Call the city or county housing, community development, neighborhood services, or grants office.
USDA Section 504 for rural homeowners
The USDA Section 504 program provides loans to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize homes, and grants to homeowners age 62 or older to remove health and safety hazards. As of the USDA page reviewed for this guide, the maximum loan is $40,000, the maximum grant is $10,000, and grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years. USDA also lists higher disaster-area grant and combined assistance limits for presidentially declared disaster areas. Always confirm current limits with your local USDA Rural Development office because funding and rules can change.
Lead service line programs
If the problem involves a lead or galvanized service line, call the water utility before hiring a contractor. Some communities replace the public and private side together. Others have a waitlist, consent form, income priority, or neighborhood schedule. EPA’s WaterTA guidance tells households with drinking water questions to contact the water utility or state drinking water agency, and to contact a utility or licensed plumber if they think the service line may be lead.
Water bill help and LIHWAP
Some households search for LIHWAP when the real problem is a water or sewer bill caused by a leak. LIHWAP was a temporary federal water assistance program funded through March 2024, according to the HHS LIHWAP fact sheet. In 2026, do not assume LIHWAP is open in your state. Ask 211, your utility, and your local Community Action Agency about current water assistance, hardship funds, leak adjustments, or local charitable funds.
Disaster damage to wells, septic, or service lines
After a presidentially declared disaster, FEMA may be a starting point for uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses. FEMA has issued guidance that private wells and septic systems may qualify for reimbursement for a professional technician’s estimate and, in some cases, repair or replacement when the damage is disaster-caused. See FEMA’s well and septic guidance. SBA also offers disaster loans to homeowners in declared disaster areas; as of the SBA page reviewed for this guide, homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace a primary residence through physical damage loans.
211, counselors, legal aid, and nonprofits
Call 211 if you do not know where to start. United Way says 211 utilities referrals can include LIHEAP, utility help, weatherization, and energy-related home repairs, and 211 referrals connect people to local services and crisis help. A HUD counselor can help you think through a repair loan, foreclosure risk, credit issue, or unsafe financing. Low-income homeowners with contractor fraud, liens, shutoffs, or public-benefit problems can search for legal aid. Older adults and caregivers can use the Eldercare Locator. Some Habitat affiliates offer home preservation, but availability, repairs, income rules, and waitlists are local.
Phone script for 211: “I own and live in my home. I have an urgent [water/sewer/service line] repair and I cannot afford the full cost. Are there local home repair, utility hardship, Community Action, senior, disability, veteran, disaster, or nonprofit programs that serve my ZIP code?”
Phone script for city or county housing: “Does your office have an owner-occupied rehabilitation, emergency home repair, CDBG, lead line, sewer lateral, water leak, or plumbing repair program? If yes, what are the income limits, repair caps, contractor rules, lien rules, and current wait time?”
Documents and proof to gather
You may not need every item below, but gathering proof early can prevent delays. Keep copies in a folder and take photos before, during, and after repair work.
- Photo ID and proof that you own and live in the home
- Deed, mortgage statement, tax bill, title, or manufactured-home ownership document
- Recent utility bills and shutoff, leak, or violation notices
- Photos and videos of damage, flooding, sewage, sinkholes, or repair areas
- 811 ticket number, locate date, response status, and photos of marks
- Plumber, utility, inspector, or contractor reports
- At least one written estimate, and preferably more than one if time allows
- Insurance claim, denial, deductible, or coverage letter
- Income proof, such as Social Security, pension, pay stubs, tax return, benefit letter, or unemployment proof
- Disaster registration number, FEMA letter, SBA letter, or disaster inspection notes if disaster-related
Contractor and inspection rules to watch
Underground repairs often need permits, licensed trades, inspections, utility coordination, and safe digging rules. Ask before work starts. A plumber may need a permit for a sewer lateral. A water service line may require utility shutoff and inspection before backfill. A gas or electric line should be handled by the utility or properly licensed workers. Some grant or loan programs require pre-approval before any work is done.
Ask each contractor to give a written scope that says what line will be repaired, the trench location, whether 811 and private locating are included, who pulls permits, who restores the yard, what materials will be used, whether a camera inspection is included, and what warranty applies. Do not accept a vague line such as “repair plumbing” for a large underground job.
Phone script for a contractor: “Before I agree, please put in writing whether you will call 811, whether private utility locating is needed, what permits are required, who contacts the utility, whether this estimate includes excavation, pipe, backfill, inspection, yard repair, and what happens if the scope changes.”
Common mistakes that cause danger, denials, or bigger bills
- Letting work start without a current 811 ticket. Old marks from last year or a neighbor’s project are not enough.
- Thinking 811 marks every private line. Private irrigation, septic, propane, lighting, pool, and owner-installed lines may need a private locator.
- Paying for work before program approval. Some repair programs will not reimburse work started before inspection or written approval.
- Assuming the utility pays. Ask where the responsibility line is and get the answer in writing.
- Ignoring permits. Unpermitted sewer or water work can fail inspection and create problems when selling or insuring the home.
- Using a contractor who pressures you. The FTC warns homeowners to ask for licenses and insurance, get written estimates, review a written contract, and avoid cash or wire transfer demands in home repair scams.
- Buying a plan without reading exclusions. The FTC explains that many “home warranties” are service contracts. Read the covered lines, caps, waiting periods, exclusions, and claim rules before relying on home warranties.
If you are denied, delayed, waitlisted, or overwhelmed
Ask for the denial or delay reason in writing. The next step depends on the reason.
- Not eligible by income: Ask whether another local repair program uses a higher income limit, a disaster exception, or a senior or disability priority.
- No funds left: Ask when the next funding round opens and whether there is an emergency list.
- Repair not covered: Ask whether the problem can be covered as a health, sanitation, lead, habitability, disaster, or code issue if documented by an inspector.
- Homeownership proof issue: Ask a legal aid office or housing counselor about deed, heir property, manufactured-home title, or probate problems.
- Contractor problem: Stop paying until you understand the contract. Contact your state contractor board, attorney general, consumer protection office, or legal aid.
If you must finance the work, compare the total cost, interest rate, fees, monthly payment, lien risk, and prepayment rules. Be careful with loans that turn an urgent pipe repair into a home-loss risk. A HUD-approved counselor or legal aid office may help you review safer options before you sign.
FAQs
Do I need to call 811 for a small repair?
Yes, if digging is involved. 811 recommends contacting the service before common homeowner projects such as planting, fences, and mailboxes. State law decides the exact notice time and rules.
Does 811 cost money?
811 locate requests are generally free to the person requesting the locate. Private utility locating, repairs, inspections, permits, or contractor work can cost money.
Will 811 tell me who pays for my sewer line?
No. 811 helps with underground utility marking before digging. To find out who pays, call the sewer utility, city public works department, or local plumbing inspector and ask where homeowner responsibility begins.
What if my contractor says calling 811 is not needed?
Do not accept that answer for a job that digs into the ground. Ask for the 811 ticket number and check your state 811 response system. If the contractor refuses, choose another contractor.
Can a home repair grant pay for a water or sewer line?
Sometimes, but it depends on the local program. A city, county, USDA, disaster, lead service line, nonprofit, or utility program may help in some cases. Most programs have income rules, inspections, funding limits, and approval steps.
What if I think I have a lead service line?
Call your water utility and ask whether your address is in its service line inventory. EPA advises households with lead service line concerns to contact the water utility or a licensed plumber to determine the service line material.
About This Guide
This HomeRepairGrants.org guide uses official federal, state, local, and high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article, including 811, PHMSA/eCFR, EPA, HUD, USDA, FEMA, SBA, HHS/ACF, 211, HUD-approved housing counseling resources, legal aid resources, Eldercare Locator, Habitat for Humanity, and FTC consumer guidance.
HomeRepairGrants.org is not a government agency, does not guarantee eligibility, and is not legal, financial, tax, medical, insurance, disability-rights, or government-agency advice. Program rules, funding, phone numbers, service areas, deadlines, and application steps can change. Always confirm current rules with the agency, utility, nonprofit, insurer, contractor board, or local office that administers the program.
Corrections: Email info@homerepairgrants.org with corrections.
Next review: August 17, 2026