What happens if you have a leak from your water supply pipe?
A guide to the help you could receive

Will my water company repair my water supply pipe for free?

Whilst water companies are under no obligation to repair your water supply pipe, many of them do offer a limited repair or make a financial contribution towards the cost of repair. However, this service varies depending on who supplies your water. Listed below are the 15 water companies that HomeServe works with in the UK. To find out what your local water company provides, please follow the appropriate link below to their website.



HomeServe is not responsible for the content of third party sites.

What happens if my water company is not listed above?

There are 12 water companies in the UK that HomeServe do not currently work with. These are as follows:

  • Albion Water
  • Bristol Water
  • Cholderton and District Water Company
  • Dee Valley Water
  • Essex and Suffolk Water
  • Jersey Water
  • Northern Ireland Water
  • Portsmouth Water
  • Sutton and East Surrey Water
  • Veolia Water East
  • Wessex Water
  • Welsh Water

If you are a customer of one of these water companies we recommend that you contact them directly for information.

Here's what industry body Water UK has to say...

"Water companies already help many thousands of their customers, sometimes through free repairs, sometimes with guidance and sometimes with contributions towards costs. Whilst the property owner has legal responsibility for their supply pipe, companies do try to help take away hassle, reduce leaks and keep tap water safe and high quality. Some companies also offer optional insurance policies that can help customers when they need a more rapid response or more tailored services. Homeowners have a wide choice both of insurers and of what they wish their insurance to cover. These optional policies are not part of day–to–day regulated water business, and do not form part of customers' water bill – they are purely an option, should the customer wish to buy them. As with any other insurance purchase, the consumer should make an informed choice to be sure the policy meets their needs."
Nick Ellins, Water UK

Is additional cover available?

If you feel you need additional cover, this is available from many companies, including HomeServe.

How can I tell if I have a leak from my water supply pipe?

There are a number of tell-tale signs of a water supply pipe problem – your garden suddenly becoming waterlogged, pooling of water on your driveway or your water meter reading being higher than expected.

There are ways to test if you think you have a leak. If you have an external water meter, you can do a simple test by turning off the stop valve inside your property, then taking a reading from your external meter. Leave the stop valve turned off and do not use the water for at least 30 minutes. Check the meter again – if your reading has increased then it's likely you have a leak.

What problems can a leaking water supply pipe cause?

If left unfixed, your water company can insist you organise and pay for a repair. They can also charge you for any associated water loss. A leaking water supply pipe can also lead to more serious problems, which include:


  • Damp in property
  • Waterlogged gardens
  • Damage to driveways
  • Metered bill increase