07852 780113
ChilternWater Services

Emergency repairs

Burst water main? Turn it off at the meter, then ring us.

A burst supply pipe can put a lot of water into the ground very quickly: up through the drive, into a cellar, across next door’s garden. The first job is to stop it, the second is to fix it.

Ring us and we will talk you through turning the supply off, then get there as quickly as we can. We can often deal with a problem within 24 hours of the call, and the repair itself is usually done the same day.

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A hand-dug hole in dark clay with a short length of new blue pipe and couplings jointed into the old supply

Before we get there

Turn the water off first

You can stop most of the damage before we arrive. If water is coming up out of the ground on your side, turn it off at the outside stop tap or the meter. If you cannot find it or cannot turn it, ring us and we will talk you through it.

  • Turn off at the meter or outside stop tap
  • If you cannot, the internal stop tap stops the house end
  • Ring us on the number at the top of the page
  • Send a photo if you can
  • Keep people and cars off soft ground
  • Tell next door if it is running their way

Emergency repairs

What happens when we arrive

We make it safe, dig down to the burst and repair it with new pipe and fittings. If the pipe is too far gone for a repair to hold, we will say so and can usually get you running on a temporary fix while a replacement is booked in.

Once the water is back on, the hole is backfilled and the ground made good. A burst often washes out a fair bit of ground, so we bring in what is needed to put it back solid.

Concrete broken out at the foot of basement steps outside a block of flats, fenced off with barriers and cones

Emergency repairs

Insurance and paperwork

If you are claiming, take photos before we start and tell your insurer. We will give you a clear written description of what failed, where, and what was done, which is what they will ask for.

A narrow side passage with water pooled on the path and broken concrete stacked against the wall

In full

Emergency repairs covers

Homes and commercial properties across South Bucks and the Chilterns.

  • Burst supply pipes
  • Major leaks flooding drives or gardens
  • Leaks into cellars and basements
  • Failed stop taps
  • Temporary repairs while a replacement is arranged
  • Ground made good after a washout
  • Paperwork for insurers

Reviews

What customers said

“Craig and Pete came over at short notice and quickly repaired a large leak from our main water supply pipe. Professional, courteous, tidy and efficient! I can’t thank them enough for coming to the rescue! Happy to recommend.”
Marc F.Google review
“Chiltern Water Services did an excellent job fixing a major leak at our property. The leak was in a very difficult place to access and involved digging through concrete stairs to reach it.”
Donnybrook HouseGoogle review
“Craig of Chiltern Water Services reacted quickly and efficiently to a leak emergency. I recommend him highly.”
David R.Google review

On site

Photographed on the job

Concrete broken out at the foot of basement steps outside a block of flats, fenced off with barriers and cones
A narrow side passage with water pooled on the path and broken concrete stacked against the wall
A hand-dug hole in dark clay with a short length of new blue pipe and couplings jointed into the old supply
A commercial courtyard with the concrete made good and barriers stood back after the work
A round pit with water at the bottom and a blue meter fitting connected on a black pipe
A square of block paving lifted from a drive and a pit dug below it to reach a leaking supply pipe

Questions

Emergency repairs: common questions

What should I do if I notice a problem with my water main?

If water is coming out of the ground, turn the supply off at the meter or the outside stop tap and ring us. If it is a slower sign, a high bill or a damp patch, ring anyway and we will arrange a leak detection visit.

How fast can you get here?

We can often deal with a problem within 24 hours of the call, and sooner if the water is off. Ring rather than email for anything urgent.

Where is my outside stop tap?

Usually under a small metal or plastic cover in the pavement or just inside your boundary, often marked W or Water. Your meter, if you have one, is normally in the same place. It may need a stop tap key to turn.

Emergency repairs near you

We also do

Leak detectionUnderground leaks found with tracer gas and listening kit, before anything gets dug.Water main repairsLeaking supply pipes dug out, repaired, pressure tested and put back. Most done in a day.Water main replacementOld, leaking or undersized supply pipes replaced with new MDPE, often in a single day.Lead pipe replacementOld lead supply pipes taken out of service and replaced with new MDPE pipe.MolingNew pipe pushed under drives, lawns and paths with no trench. Two small pits, no mess.New supplies & reroutingNew water supplies, shared supplies split, and pipes moved for extensions and new builds.Low pressure & upgradesWeak flow fixed at the source, with supply pipes upsized for bigger houses and new bathrooms.

Next step

Get a price for emergency repairs

Tell us what you are seeing and roughly where you are. Craig will come and look, and give you a clear price before anything is dug.

Send us the details

Tell us what you are seeing and roughly where you are. A photo of the meter or the wet patch can follow by email.

Or ring 07852 780113. Craig answers it himself.