Water Main & Leak Detection — Frequently Asked Questions

As a homeowner, you are responsible for the section of water supply pipe that runs from the boundary of your property to your house. South East Water is responsible for the pipe in the street up to your boundary. If you have a leak on your private supply pipe, the repair cost is yours — but it may be covered under your home insurance trace and access policy.

The cost depends on the length of the pipe run, ground conditions and access. Trenchless moling is generally more cost-effective than traditional trenching because it requires minimal reinstatement work. We provide free no-obligation assessments and always stick to our quoted price. Call 07894 956041 for a free assessment.

Most water main replacements using trenchless moling are completed in a single day. The pipe run, ground type and access all affect the time, but moling is significantly faster than traditional trenching which can take several days.

Moling is a trenchless underground boring technique. A pneumatic boring tool — called a mole — is driven underground between two small access pits, displacing soil as it goes and creating a bore through which new pipe is threaded. It requires no trenching, meaning gardens, driveways and paths are left virtually undisturbed.

Common signs include unexplained rises in your water bill, low or dropping water pressure, a persistently wet or unusually green patch in your garden, discoloured water from your taps, or the sound of running water when everything is switched off. If you notice any of these, call us for a free assessment.

Many home insurance policies include trace and access cover, which pays for the cost of finding and accessing a hidden leak. We provide insurance-approved reports to support your claim. Check your policy or call us and we can advise.

Trace and access is the process of locating a hidden water leak and accessing it for repair. It is a specific type of insurance claim covered by many home insurance policies. We use acoustic detection, thermal imaging and tracer gas testing to find leaks non-destructively and provide full documentation for your insurer.

Yes — we cover East Grinstead, Crawley, Haywards Heath, Horley, Burgess Hill, Lingfield, Forest Row, Copthorne, Oxted, Redhill, Reigate, Cuckfield and across West Sussex and Surrey.

In most cases, yes. Our trenchless moling technique requires just two small access pits — one at each end of the pipe run. This means block paving, tarmac, gravel and concrete driveways are left virtually undisturbed.

We aim to respond same day or next day for water main issues across our service area. Call 07894 956041 to discuss your situation.