REPLACEMENT pipework
W.J. Hatt Ltd are specialists in replacement pipework schemes and underground water supply systems. We handle projects of all sizes, from 25mm to 125mm pipe, and install all associated fittings, such as water meters, stopcocks, fire hydrants, standpipes, troughs, and so on. As a WaterSafe approved contractor, we can also coordinate new connections to mains water supplies (for example, Thames Water, South East Water & Affinity Water), completing the required paperwork and liaising with the utility company on your behalf.
Decades of pipework experience
Over the last 50 years we have laid many hundreds of miles of underground pipe. We carry out this work for farms, estates, allotments, studs, racing stables and schools to name but a few. Our engineers combine traditional skills with the latest technology to deliver reliable, long-term water supply solutions. We also work alongside trusted partners, such as HD Services for boreholes and Allsebrook Pumps for pressurised or pumped systems.
Trench-less pipe installation
Wherever possible, we install replacement pipework using trench-less technologies,which keep disruption to a minimum and reduce reinstatement costs:
- Mole ploughing – installs up to 150m of underground pipe in a single run with minimal surface disturbance. A 150m run of 63mm MDPE pipe can be completed in as little as 30 minutes, compared with a full day using a 6-tonne excavator. Offsetting the mole plough behind its tractor unit allows installatio along road verges with only brief road closures. we use the DitchWitch RT80 ride-on trencher – learn more on their website here.
- Thrust moling – tunnels beneath roads, concrete and paving without excavating at the surface. With small access pits only every 12m, roads remain open while replacement pipework is installed, avoiding costly closures and keeping reinstatement costs low. This method is also ideal for bypassing burst pipes, removing the leaking section entirely. We use the GRUNDOMAT soil displacement hammer by TRACTO – learn more on their website here.
We offer a full design & installation service, ensuring each scheme is tailored to the site and completed to the highest standard.
Leak INVESTIGATION, Repairs, PLUMBING & Replacement Pipework
Our team use modern techniques to locate leaks in underground water networks quickly &accurately, even under tarmac or concrete where water rarely emerges close to the source. Traditional repairs can be time-consuming and disruptive, but trench-less technologies often allow us to bypass the leaking section completely.
Our experienced engineers provide a highly proficient service when repairing leaks and installing fittings such as stopcocks, water meters, troughs, standpipes & hydrants. They always carry the necessary tools & fittings on board, and use an excavator to complete works efficiently.
Water leaks can arise from a variety of factors, including ageing pipework, corrosion, livestock or machinery damage, frost damage, rising groundwater, inadequate drainage, blocked pipes, choked ditches or ground heave or subsidence. With decades of experience in burst pipe repairs, we resolve problems efficiently. However, if the same line fails more than once or twice, we usually recommend full replacement pipework as the most cost-effective long-term solution.
Service Location & Surveys
When organising replacement pipework, we provide service location for any underground utilities such as such as gas, power & broadband. We also carry out surveys of the area to ensure works are safe & efficient. This applies to all types of systems – foul and storm water drainage, along with private water supplies & leak repairs.
Leak Detection & Pipe Tracing Equipment
To support our work, we also use industry-leading equipment to detect leaks and trace underground pipe networks with accuracy and minimal disruption:
- Gutermann Aquascan TM2 – a trunk main and plastic pipe correlator that helps pinpoint leaks in large-diameter or difficult-to-trace pipelines.
- Gutermann Aquascope 3 – a digital acoustic listening device for locating leaks in pressurised water networks, even where traditional methods fail.
- C.Scope 80m Flexible Tracer with SGA4 Signal Generator – allows us to trace non-metallic and complex pipe runs underground.
- Radiodetection CAT 4+ and RD8200 – advanced cable and pipe locators that ensure safe excavation and accurate mapping of buried utilities.
This investment in modern technology enables us to detect problems more quickly, plan works more effectively, and avoid unnecessary disruption or excavation.
Accreditation & Approvals
We are approved members of WaterSafe and hold WIAPS accreditation, which means we can certify our own pipework installations. This avoids delays waiting for external inspections, allowing us to backfill trenches promptly and keep projects on schedule – whatever the British weather may be doing!
Here’s our DITCH WITCH mole plough in action: