I have a lead water main connecting to copper with a compression adapter. Someone stored stuff near the line and disturbed the connection to cause it leaking.

Spent $250 on a plumbing service call ($200 was for having him waiting 2 hours for city to come shut off from street, yes, told city the main is leaking, called 3 times, at normal business hour). He connected the lead end fully back into the compression fitting, but the leak didn't stop.

The lead pipe is in the basement right under the 100 year old stone foundation. Happen to have a giant boulder on top with less than 1" space, we managed to dig down, but still barely enough room to put a screw driver in to tighten the fitting. The plumber suggested that I use some ??? to wrap around the joint to slow down the leak and cement it.

Its hard to describe how bad the leak is, it is more than just dripping which I would just ignore.. The water never rose up to flood the basement, just a small puddle and dissipated into the ground.

I wrapped some rubber and put 3 clamps on it, tried hydraulic cement. It didn't cement the leak. the water flow is strong enough to push through the wet cement. (I watched youtube just now and wonder if we didn't apply hydraulic cement properly. We apply right after mixed vs. wait till it starts to harden)

I don't know any product out there that can seal an active leak.. One option I can think of is, have the city shut off the water from street, then apply hydraulic cement to bury the joint area.

I am not ready to spend couple thousand to dig out the curb side to replace the lead line yet.. So, looking for something to slow down the leak to manageable.. Any idea what I can do ?

Time for a new line

Ditch witch rental to dig new trench from city meter to house.

Use new PEX supply line and connectors. Install and hook up.

Abandon old line.

Have city do hookup at their end (if they do that).

Fill ditch. Reseed as necessary.

Don't forget to call 811 and have them mark utility lines for safety.

there are things you would like to do and things you have to do.

do it right once

I could go on and on with cliche after cliche but you instinctively know what you have to do

elliot,

Maybe that black tape Lowes sells to fix shovel handles? It grips tight and gets very hard.

Or a repair saddle clamp?

I went there this morning, the cement was hardened and there is no turning back.. Just gonna continue wrap hydraulic cement around it till it stops leaking

To those who know what is the right way to do.. I am afraid 90% of our main lines are lead.. We are in city, the shut off is only couple feet from the foundation wall/meter.. but its concrete. Would need permits/licensed contractors, costs ranging from $2000 to $7500.