
Services
Water Main Repairs Scotland
Water Main Repair Specialists in Scotland
Welcome to ScotWater, Scotland's leading water main repair specialists. We provide expert services for all types of underground water leaks and water main replacement and repair projects, ensuring efficient and high-quality solutions for our clients.
With extensive expertise in water main leaks, our services include:
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Water main repairs
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Water main leak detection
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Water main replacement
Our skilled teams can handle any task, no matter the size or complexity.
What Causes Water Mains to Leak?
Do you have a leaking water main and want to prevent further problems by identifying the cause? Our engineers can assess and fix the issue while finding a long-term solution to prevent similar breakages or leaks in the future.
Some of the most common causes of burst water mains include:
Pipe Age & Material
Older water main pipes are more prone to corrosion, and if installed before the 1980s, they may be made of cast iron. While once the standard in utilities, cast iron is less durable and cannot expand and contract with changing temperatures as effectively as modern materials. This can lead to water main pipes cracking and leaking over time.
Water Pressure Changes
Extreme surges in water pressure can put water mains under considerable strain. If the water pressure exceeds the capability of the system, the extra force can damage pipes, leading to cracks, leaks, or even a complete rupture. Ruptured pipes can result in water damage, costly repairs, and higher water bills due to increased water usage.
Excavation Work
Excavation work by contractors or property owners can accidentally damage water mains with digging equipment or machinery. Such contact can cause ruptures in your water mains, leading to significant damage.
Temperature Changes
Temperature changes can severely impact the integrity of water mains. During cold weather, the ground can freeze and subsequently expand, placing additional pressure on underground pipes. This can lead to cracks or even bursts if the material of the pipe is unable to withstand the contraction and expansion caused by the freezing and thawing cycles. Conversely, in hot weather, the ground may shift as it dries out, which can also cause movement and stress on water mains. Such temperature-induced stress makes regular maintenance and monitoring essential to prevent leaks and ensure the longevity of the water infrastructure.
Heavy Vehicles
Heavy vehicles can pose significant risks to the integrity of water mains, especially those that are shallowly buried. The immense weight of trucks, buses, and other large machinery can exert pressure on the soil above these pipes, leading to soil compaction. This increased pressure can deform or crack the water mains beneath, particularly if they are made from materials that are less flexible or if they are already weakened by age or corrosion. Moreover, the vibration caused by heavy traffic can lead to shifts in the soil that may disturb the pipes' alignment, exacerbating the risk of leaks or bursts. Regular assessment of water main routes under heavily trafficked areas is crucial to ensure their durability and to plan for necessary reinforcements or rerouting.
ScotWater Water Main Repairs
At ScotWater, we have decades of experience tackling even the most disastrous water main emergencies.
When your water main breaks, you need someone who appreciates the scale of the emergency and knows how to fix it as quickly and effectively as possible. Using innovative methods of leak detection, testing, and trenchless repairs, our engineers will fix your problem in the most long-lasting and non-invasive way. Where necessary, we also have the skills and equipment to carry out full water main replacements.
24-Hour Emergency Service
We understand that water leaks can be highly disruptive, whether it's a slow leak or a sudden burst water main. Scottish Water may alert you to an underground leak, or you may notice water leaking from your driveway. Water main leaks can cause flooding and costly damage. ScotWater is on hand to fix the problem fast.
As water main specialists, our experienced engineers are always ready to deliver the best service using advanced tools and technology to examine your water main and fix the problem efficiently. That's why ScotWater is always available when you need us most. Our rapid response team can be on-site quickly, working to provide effective solutions with minimal disruption.
Contact ScotWater
When water mains burst, you must act fast. For reliable, professional, and timely water main repair services across Scotland, trust ScotWater to deliver exceptional results.
ScotWater can carry out water main repairs across Scotland and provide you with a free quotation for the repair. To get a free quote for your water main repair, please call us on 0131 381 7770 or email hello@scotwater.co.uk to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help with your water main needs.



What to expect from ScotWater – Your trusted water services expert
Here’s how we’ll get your house feeling like home again.

Call us 24/7, 365, at a time that suits you.

You’ll get a no-obligation quote straight away.

Expert engineers will arrive and carry out the work.

We’ll give you a 25-year guarantee*.
Just a quick note to thank you for all your efforts from resolving the water supply leak. You went above and beyond and your efforts really were appreciated.
Tom Williams
Dundee

Hopefully we will never have the need for your services again, but we would be happy to recommend you to anyone who does.
Chris Snowden
Dunfermline

Other Watersafe businesses were unable to help us, so it was a relief when you said you could. By Thursday evening, the leak was fixed, and we wouldn’t even be able to tell that workmen had been there.
David Bale
Fort William
