We’ve created a list of our frequently asked questions for leak detection and repair. If you can’t find the answer to your question, please contact the Waterlink team on 0333 000 0058. We're here to help 24/7, 365 days a year.
There are two methods we use to locate leaks if they are not visible.
We will either use our trusty listening stick, which has been proven to be very accurate, by listening down on the ground to hear the echoing of the water running underground. Or we will use above-ground technology to trace the route of the supply, once located we will carry out ‘cutting and capping’ of the supply, this involves carrying out excavations and cutting in controls at certain points along the supply to help us narrow down the section of the pipe the leak is coming from.
If you are concerned you may have a leak, you can carry out simple checks on your water meter if you have one.
To learn how to carry out these checks, read our news article Test for a leak - A DIY. Whether you have an internal or external issue, Waterlink will be able to assist where possible with repairs.
Once the location of the leak is known the damaged part of the pipe will be cut out and replaced with a section of new polyethylene pipe.
Once the leak has been repaired we will carry out reinstatement of all disturbed surfaces. It is important to note that the full area will not be reinstated, any reinstatement we carry out is for safety purposes and may not be exact to as it was prior to the repair.
If the supply pipe is in poor condition we may recommend a replacement of the whole supply pipe which we will be able to quote free of charge.
Supply pipes are owned by the property owner, not the water company.
Therefore the responsibility for their maintenance lies with the property owner. If the leak is on apparatus owned by the water company, they will undertake the repair. Please see our page on Water Pipe Responsibility for more information.
To get a quote, please contact us on 0333 000 0058(opens in a new tab) (option 1) or email us on waterlink@southeastwater.co.uk(opens in a new tab).
This will be dependent on the amount of time spent on site and if any non-standard parts are required to carry out the repair.
Please contact us using 0333 000 0058(opens in a new tab) (option 1) or waterlink@southeastwater.co.uk(opens in a new tab) and we will be able to send you a quotation for a repair.
If you would like a quotation for a new supply pipe one of our surveyors will be able to call you and discuss, they may need to arrange a visit to your property to assess the works.
Waterlink staff are all highly trained and are able to undertake the complete process from detection, to repair, to completion.
Everyone’s supply pipe is unique to their property. Usually, the responsibility starts from the water company’s main external stop tap up to the property.
Some supply pipes will be longer than others. If you are on a shared supply then the responsibility is jointly shared between the supplied properties.
Some supplies may run through neighbouring land. If you are unsure where your main external stop tap is located, contact your Water Supplier and they will be able to advise you of its location, or send a technician out to locate it for you and advise you of where your responsibility begins. For more information, please see our news page on responsibility.
If your water meter is leaking, please phone your water company, and they will arrange the repairs. Water meters are owned by the water company, and are their responsibility.
You can indeed. Waterlink, although a department of South East Water, are a commercial enterprise, and as such can undertake work anywhere in the South East of England.
The amount of damage caused by a leak will depend on the degree of the leak and its location. Waterlink aim to book in repairs as soon as possible, but are not liable for any damage caused in the interim.
If you are on a shared supply, then the responsibility for the pipe will be the joint responsibility of all those who are supplied by it. You will need to agree to repair the leak amongst yourselves before any work can be carried out. Please see our pages on responsibility for further information.
If your meter reading is higher than usual when it is read by your water provider, they might send a technician out to check for a leak to ensure that the higher usage has not been caused by a leak.
Wherever possible, Waterlink endeavour to use non-dig technology to ensure that the land is disturbed as little as possible. Sometimes, however, digging is unavoidable, and the area of the pipe that is leaking will need to be dug to get to the broken section of pipe.
Waterlink will reinstate the land for safety purposes; however, the full area may not be exactly as it was prior to the repair.
If the leak is on the water company’s network, all you need to do is report the leak to them and they will deal with the repairs. If you have located a leak on the South East Water distribution network, please phone 0333 000 3330(opens in a new tab) to report it.