Water Main Installation: What You Need to Know

As Water Safe accredited plumbers serving Liverpool and the Wirral, we at Boymans Plumbers frequently receive questions about water main installations and replacements. This essential component of your home's plumbing system delivers fresh water to your property, yet many homeowners know very little about it until problems arise. Here's what you need to know about water main installations and when it might be time to consider replacing yours.

Understanding Your Water Main

Your water main is the primary pipe that connects your home to the municipal water supply. It's responsible for delivering all the fresh water that enters your property. In Liverpool and surrounding areas, water mains are typically:

• Located underground at a depth that prevents freezing
• Made from various materials depending on when they were installed (lead in very old homes, copper in mid-century properties, and plastic MDPE in newer constructions)
• Between 25mm and 32mm in diameter for most residential properties
• The homeowner's responsibility from the boundary of the property to the home

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Signs Your Water Main May Need Attention

Water mains are designed to last for decades, but they don't last forever. Here are indicators that it might be time to consider a replacement:

1. Consistently Low Water Pressure

While occasional pressure fluctuations are normal, persistent low pressure throughout your home often indicates restrictions or damage in your water main. This is particularly common in older properties with original pipework.

2. Discoloured Water

Rusty, brown, or yellow water coming from multiple taps suggests corrosion in your water main, especially if it occurs after periods of non-use or affects hot and cold water equally.

3. Unexplained Wet Areas in Your Garden

Soggy patches in your garden without recent rainfall, especially along the path where your water main likely runs, can indicate a leak in the underground pipe.

4. Unusually High Water Bills

A sudden increase in water usage shown on your bill, without a change in household habits, often points to a water main leak—even if it's not visible above ground.

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Choose a Water Safe Registered Plumber

For any work involving your water supply, it's essential to use a Water Safe registered plumber. This accreditation, which Boymans Plumbers proudly holds, ensures that:

• Your installation complies with water regulations
• The work is performed to the highest standards of safety and quality
• You're protected by proper insurance and guarantees

Serving homes throughout Liverpool, Crosby, Hightown, Litherland, and across the Wirral including Bebington, Caldy, Bromborough, and Birkenhead, our fully insured team is equipped to handle all aspects of water main installation.

Contact Boymans Plumbers today to discuss your water main needs and discover how our professional installation services can improve your home's water quality, pressure, and reliability for years to come.