Water Main Repair & Replacement in Vancouver & Burnaby

Understanding Water Main Problems

Your water main is the buried pipe that supplies clean water from the city's distribution system to your property. In Vancouver and Burnaby, many homes rely on aging water mains — some dating back 50+ years — made of galvanized steel, copper, or polybutylene that are prone to corrosion, leaks, and failures. HYDROPRO PLUMBING & WATER LTD specializes in diagnosing and repairing water main issues quickly, minimizing disruption and preventing costly water damage.

Signs Your Water Main Needs Repair

• Unexplained water pooling in your yard, driveway, or street — even small leaks waste thousands of litres annually
• Sudden drop in water pressure affecting multiple fixtures throughout your home
• Discoloured or rusty water — indicates internal pipe corrosion, common in older galvanized steel lines
• Unusually high water bills without changes in usage habits
• Wet or soft spots in your yard that never seem to dry, even in summer
• Sound of running water when all fixtures are turned off
• City notification — Metro Vancouver or your municipality may flag high water consumption

Water Main Repair vs. Replacement

Water Main Repair

For localized damage — a single crack, joint failure, or small section of corrosion — a targeted repair is often sufficient. We excavate to the damaged area, replace the failed section, and restore the surface. Repairs are cost-effective when the rest of the pipe is in good condition.

Water Main Replacement

When your water main has extensive corrosion, multiple leaks, or is made of problematic materials like polybutylene (common in 1980s BC construction), full replacement is the better investment. We replace the entire line from the city connection to your home using modern HDPE or copper pipe that will last 50+ years.

Trenchless Water Main Replacement

HYDROPRO uses trenchless pipe replacement technology for most water main projects, avoiding the need to dig up your entire yard or driveway:

Pipe Bursting

A bursting head is pulled through your old pipe, breaking it apart while simultaneously pulling new HDPE pipe into place. This requires only two small access pits and preserves your landscaping, driveway, and sidewalk.

Horizontal Directional Drilling

For new water main routes or situations where the old pipe path can't be reused, HDD bores a new underground path and pulls pipe through without surface excavation. Ideal when the water main runs under driveways or mature trees.

Our Water Main Repair Process

1. Camera inspection — we use video camera inspection to locate the damage and assess overall pipe condition
2. City coordination — we arrange water shut-off and any required permits with the City of Vancouver or Burnaby
3. Repair or replacement — using trenchless or traditional methods depending on the situation
4. Pressure testing — the new or repaired line is pressure-tested to verify integrity
5. Surface restoration — concrete or asphalt surfaces restored to original condition
6. City inspection — final inspection by the municipality to close the permit

Emergency Water Main Service

A burst water main requires immediate attention — water damage accumulates rapidly and you lose your water supply. Our 24/7 emergency service responds to water main breaks across Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey, Richmond, and Greater Vancouver.

View completed water main projects in our project gallery.