Dealing With LeaksWater supply Pipe ResponsibilitiesThe group water scheme's legal responsibility for water supply ends at the boundary of the public highway. The owner of the property is responsible for the supply pipe from the boundary of the public highway all the way into their home, even if this crosses other privately or publicly owned property before entering the member's property.
In most cases, the boundary of the public highway where the GWS responsibility ends is also the boundary of the member’s own property.
Reporting a LeakHelp us identify water leaks across our community – big or small. If you spot a leak please tell us so we can fix it.
If you see a leak that you think is the responsibility then please let us know in the quickest way possible:
Text or call +353 (0)87 7373411 and leave a message. This phone is only in use Monday to Friday 9am-5pm or inform a Local Board Member.
The more information you can give us the quicker we can identity and fix the leak.
Things to tell us:
If the leak is in my own house ?No one wants a bust pipe. As emergencies go they can be a real nuisance so it’s a good idea to put some thought into what you would do if you had a burst pipe in your home.
Burst Pipe EmergencyStep 1: Turn off the water supply immediately.
The main stop tap should be in the cupboard under the sink or where the service pipe comes into your home.
Step 2: Drain your cold water system by turning on all your cold taps.
Step 3: Keep an eye on your ceilings
If water has been leaking for a while there may be some damaged plaster waiting to fall. Make a hole in the ceiling to let water out if it starts to bulge.
Step 4: Turn off heating systems
Switch off your central heating, immersion and any other water heating systems. If the central heating uses solid fuel let this die out.
Step 5: Once your water heating system has shut down, turn on the hot taps to help drain the system.
Step 6: If you think you are in danger turn off the electrics
Where water leaks near anything electrical – lights, sockets or appliances –don’t touch them.
Step 7: Call a professional electrician/plumber to repair the damage
Have your electricians/plumbers numbers in a place they can be easily and quickly found in an emergency.
Step 8: Contact your house insurance, take photographs of the damage
Frozen Pipe EmergencyBe careful with a frozen pipe in case it becomes a burst pipe. You may not realise straight away that the pipe has burst until the ice inside it melts.
Turn off the water supply
Turn off the main stop tap – it should be in the cupboard under the sink or where the service pipe comes into your home. A frozen pipe will stop you being able to drain your cold water system but what you can do is turn off the stopcock in your cold water tank, if you have one. You’ll usually find the tank in your loft or attic.
Be prepared
While the pipe is still frozen you have time to protect everything around it from water damage in case the pipe leaks when it is thawed out.
Thawing Out
Open the tap nearest to the part of the pipe you think is frozen so the water can flow out once the ice has melted. Thaw the pipe with a hot water bottle or hairdryer (taking care to keep the dryer away from any water) , beginning from the tap end and working back toward the cold water tank. Never use a heat gun or blow torch.
The best way to deal with frozen pipes is prevention, make sure your service pipe is buried deep enough especially in your footpath. Do not leave taps running if there is a heavy frost doing so only empties the reservoir and puts everybodys supply at risk.
In most cases, the boundary of the public highway where the GWS responsibility ends is also the boundary of the member’s own property.
Reporting a LeakHelp us identify water leaks across our community – big or small. If you spot a leak please tell us so we can fix it.
If you see a leak that you think is the responsibility then please let us know in the quickest way possible:
Text or call +353 (0)87 7373411 and leave a message. This phone is only in use Monday to Friday 9am-5pm or inform a Local Board Member.
The more information you can give us the quicker we can identity and fix the leak.
Things to tell us:
- Location of the leak, whether it’s in the road or a field.
- How bad the leak (i.e. is it a trickle, flow or burst).
- How long has it been leaking to the best of your knowledge?
- Your contact details so we can call back if we need too.
If the leak is in my own house ?No one wants a bust pipe. As emergencies go they can be a real nuisance so it’s a good idea to put some thought into what you would do if you had a burst pipe in your home.
Burst Pipe EmergencyStep 1: Turn off the water supply immediately.
The main stop tap should be in the cupboard under the sink or where the service pipe comes into your home.
Step 2: Drain your cold water system by turning on all your cold taps.
Step 3: Keep an eye on your ceilings
If water has been leaking for a while there may be some damaged plaster waiting to fall. Make a hole in the ceiling to let water out if it starts to bulge.
Step 4: Turn off heating systems
Switch off your central heating, immersion and any other water heating systems. If the central heating uses solid fuel let this die out.
Step 5: Once your water heating system has shut down, turn on the hot taps to help drain the system.
Step 6: If you think you are in danger turn off the electrics
Where water leaks near anything electrical – lights, sockets or appliances –don’t touch them.
Step 7: Call a professional electrician/plumber to repair the damage
Have your electricians/plumbers numbers in a place they can be easily and quickly found in an emergency.
Step 8: Contact your house insurance, take photographs of the damage
Frozen Pipe EmergencyBe careful with a frozen pipe in case it becomes a burst pipe. You may not realise straight away that the pipe has burst until the ice inside it melts.
Turn off the water supply
Turn off the main stop tap – it should be in the cupboard under the sink or where the service pipe comes into your home. A frozen pipe will stop you being able to drain your cold water system but what you can do is turn off the stopcock in your cold water tank, if you have one. You’ll usually find the tank in your loft or attic.
Be prepared
While the pipe is still frozen you have time to protect everything around it from water damage in case the pipe leaks when it is thawed out.
Thawing Out
Open the tap nearest to the part of the pipe you think is frozen so the water can flow out once the ice has melted. Thaw the pipe with a hot water bottle or hairdryer (taking care to keep the dryer away from any water) , beginning from the tap end and working back toward the cold water tank. Never use a heat gun or blow torch.
The best way to deal with frozen pipes is prevention, make sure your service pipe is buried deep enough especially in your footpath. Do not leave taps running if there is a heavy frost doing so only empties the reservoir and puts everybodys supply at risk.