Leaks and Bursts

Older feeds (often lead) are more prone to damage-causing leaks. It is important that a leak receives immediate attention, before the issue escalates and causes damage to the ground or your property. Alongside material damage, leaks cause increased consumption and reduction in water pressure. Tell-tale signs that you have a leak on your underground pipework could be water pooling above ground, your water meter whizzing round, faint sound of running water even with taps are turned off or possibly some discoloured water when you first turn the tap on.

A one off repair may suit your needs, especially as a short term solution. However, a leaking pipe indicates that the pipe has served its time. Fixing one leak, will often mean another will occur at a later date.

How to test for a leak

If you have a water meter fitted outside your home, follow the steps below to check for a leak:

  1. Locate your external meter – it is usually fitted to the outside stop valve located either in your garden, driveway or footpath.
  2. Stop using water in the property – remember to turn off all water-using appliances, such as your washing machine and dishwasher.
  3. Turn off the inside stop valve – this can usually be found under the kitchen sink.
  4. Take a meter reading, including the digits in the red dials. If the dial is still recording water use, please double check that everything is switched off and there are no toilet cisterns filling up.
  5. Leave the stop valve shut and read the meter half an hour later. If the reading has changed, you may have a leak.
  6. Alternatively, turn off any noisy appliances in the kitchen, put your ear on cold mains tap and listen carefully for a noise that sounds like a toilet cistern filling – this can be an indication of a leak.

Our Process

Get in touch

Call us on 0333 335 9929 and tell us about your problem. Don’t worry, won't ‘hard sell’, we’ll just ask a few basic questions about the job.

Get an estimate

We can usually give you an estimate without coming out to you – we use Google Earth and 3D imaging to see what problem is.

Get the job done

If you’re happy with the estimate, we will arrange a site visit. We will have seen problems like yours before and successfully fixed them

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the external pipe work the Water Board’s responsibility?

Afraid not, the underground water pipe from the valve in the pavement leading to and entering your house is your responsibility. When you bought your house, you bought the pipe!

How long will I be without water?

Usually 15 minutes.

What about mess inside and outside my house?

All excavations are backfilled and reinstated. Our operatives clean up after each job as part of a day’s work and take their boots off to work inside.

What do I need to do regarding the Water Authority?

If you are old lead or have a shared supply, we will need the water board to complete further works. It is important that this is in place before hand as their application process can take up to 28 days. We are unable to complete any application forms on your behalf, but your water authority can assist you with this. You will need to give us verbal permission to speak to the water authority about your water pipes.

Can Mole Group improve my mains water pressure?

We can’t guarantee an improvement in mains pressure without coming out to site, but particularly where we replace lead pipes with plastic we invariably see improvements in water pressure and flow rate, sometimes by as much as 500%.

Mole Group are specialist water pipe replacement engineers

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Where To Find Us

Mole HQ, Wirral
Mole Group Utilities Ltd, 180-200 Pensby Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 7RJ

Manchester
Piccadilly Business Centre, Aldow Enterprise Park, Manchester, M12 6AE

North East
Unit 3 Ayton Workshops, 25 Raby Cross, Commercial Road, Byker, NE6 2FF

London
33 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AD

South West
4 Staffick Close, Kenton, Exeter, EX6 8NS

Wales
Fronfellen House, Corris, Machynlleth, SY20 9TF