Burst water mains: fast and efficient repair for your drains

ASL Limited attending to one element of fixing a burst water main. Turning off the supply is the first step in fixing the problem. — Turning off the supply to fix a burst main.

At ASL, we know it can be frustrating when you discover a burst water main or damaged pipe somewhere on or around your property. It will not only have an impact on the amount of water that will reach your home or business, but it can also lead to further damage and potential issues if it is not taken care of quickly and efficiently. If the work is not done properly, this may also cause problems within your system or even make standing ones worse.

When work is carried out badly on your property, or extensive damage has been done by a problem that has not been looked at, this will cost you more to repair. To avoid more expensive bills at a later date, it is important that you know who to call for a burst water main. As a team of experts with many years in the drainage industry behind us, we have all the skills, knowledge and equipment needed to help you with your damaged drains and water mains, whether you need repairs done right away or would like advice about who to contact over water mains you are not responsible for.

About water mains

Water mains are large pipes which usually run underneath roads, towards properties. They supply water to your home, and are not your responsibility to fix unless they have crossed the property boundary. If there is an emergency and the burst water main is outside of your boundaries, then it will be up to your local water company to repair it. If the problem is located inside your property boundaries, then it will be up to you to ensure the work is taken care of.

If you know that the problem is outside your property boundary but you do not know how to report the burst water main, please see the advice given by Ofwat.

Signs of a burst water main or pipe

If you suspect there is a burst water main or pipe somewhere in the boundary of your property, there are a number of different signs and symptoms which can confirm this. Below, we have provided a list of these:

Your water bills or water meter readings are strangely high
There is low water pressure coming from your taps, toilets or showers
There are puddles or wet spots forming in your home
You have damp drywall
There are odd noises coming from your pipes
There are unpleasant smells around your property
There are cracks in your property’s foundations
There is water pooling in your back garden
There is water pooling in the street

If one or more of these problems is happening on or around your property, you may need to report a burst water main. Call us today and we can give advice on how to report a burst water main to your local water services, or send out a dedicated team of trained engineers in no time if the problem falls within your boundaries.

What you should do if you have a burst water main

Where is your stop cock located? Always good to know before you need to.

When you notice that you have a burst water main, the first thing to do is shut off your water supply. This is done by locating your stopcock, also known as a stop tap. Your internal stop tap should be located underneath a kitchen or utility sink, but if you cannot find it, your main stopcock should be located somewhere outside, usually at the end of your driveway or on the public pathway by your home. Turn the tap clockwise until the water supply is cut off to your entire property.

If you are unsure of who to call about a burst water main because you are not sure where the fault in your pipe is, contact us today. We will use the latest technology to find any leak on your property, without excavation, and use the information we get back to give you professional advice, as well as a quote for our services.

Our drain and pipe repair service

When we are called out to provide pipe repair and maintenance services, we will begin by carrying out a state-of-the-art CCTV drainage survey, using a long, flexible camera to accurately locate the damage to your drains. If the burst pipe is located on your property, we will move ahead to fix it. Otherwise, our expert staff will be able to advise you on how to report a burst water main to your local water company.

To carry out pipe repair work, we may not even have to excavate your drains. To repair leaks and cracks in pipes, it is possible to re-line the drain, sealing it up. This will prevent water leaks and ensure that you do not have an emergency burst water main at this location in the future. If your pipe is too old or damaged to repair, we will also be happy to replace it with a new one.