Guide to re-laying your supply pipe

Guidance for re-laying your supply pipe

If a leak has been found on your supply pipe, replacing it is often the most cost effective option in the long term.

This is especially true if there are multiple leaks, the location of the leak can’t be pinpointed or the supply pipe has deteriorated and may leak again.

Always use a plumber or groundworker who deals with underground pipe work. Visit watersafe.org.uk to find an approved plumber in your area.

When re-laying a supply pipe you need to let us know, so we can arrange a trench inspection (which enables the installation to be approved) and connection to the main. To pass the inspection the trench must:

  • Check whether the ground is classed as contaminated (this will help you select the correct supply pipe material)
  • Install an Approved pipe laid at 750mm deep,
  • be ducted into the house through the footings
  • be insulated at this point.

Trench inspections take 48 hours to organise and the inspector must approve the trench before it is filled in.

We recommend work starts at the boundary, working towards your property. If the leak is then discovered just past the boundary, work can stop (saving additional cost) while we investigate.