Hands-on Experience
Hands-on Experience | Pipe Upgrades | Plumbing | Kelso
From corroded galvanised stacks in heritage cottages to undersized PVC lines in modern builds, HEP’s plumbers have seen – and replaced – them all. Our crew brings decades of in-the-trench know-how to every Kelso address, mapping your existing network, isolating weak links, and installing high-performance alternatives that boost pressure, cut leaks, and future-proof your property. We handle everything in-house, so your pipe upgrades stay on schedule and on budget, with transparent updates at each stage.
Homeowners and facility managers alike choose us for our tidy worksites, camera-assisted inspections, and lifetime workmanship guarantee. Whether you’re chasing cleaner drinking water, planning a bathroom renovation, or meeting strict compliance codes, HEP turns disruption into a smooth, same-day turnaround. Let’s swap those tired pipes for a system you can trust—backed by local experts who never leave until the water runs perfectly clear.
FAQs
When is it a good idea to have the pipes in my Kelso property upgraded?
You should consider a pipe upgrade if your home still has lead, galvanised steel or early-generation plastic pipework, you suffer from low pressure or discoloured water, the supply freezes regularly, or you’re planning a major renovation. Many Victorian and 20th-century houses around Kelso still rely on 50-plus-year-old pipework that is at the end of its service life. Upgrading now prevents leaks, improves water quality and often raises property value.
What replacement pipe materials do you usually install and why?
Inside the home we normally fit copper for hot and cold distribution lines because it is durable, naturally antimicrobial and handles heat well. Where flexibility or budget is a priority we may specify PEX or multilayer plastic, which installs quickly and copes with Kelso’s freeze–thaw cycles. For the underground supply from the boundary to the stop-cock we use blue MDPE which is WRAS-approved and corrosion-resistant. We always discuss options, benefits and life-cycle costs with you before work starts.
How long does a typical domestic pipe upgrade take?
For an average three-bed Kelso house with reasonably good access the full internal pipe renewal normally takes two to four days. A simple lead-service replacement from the street main can often be completed in a single day. Larger properties or listed buildings with limited access can take a week or more. We provide a detailed schedule after the initial survey so you know exactly what to expect.
Will I be without water or heating during the upgrade?
We plan the job so you have minimal downtime. Water is usually off for two to four hours at a time while sections are isolated and reconnected; we restore temporary supplies in the evening if the project spans several days. Central-heating pipe upgrades are timed for periods of mild weather or can be staged room-by-room so radiators in other areas keep working. We always let you know the exact shut-off windows in advance.
Do I need permits or approval for pipe replacement in Kelso?
Internal pipework changes in Scotland generally don’t require local authority consent, but if we’re replacing the external supply pipe we must notify Scottish Water and comply with their Byelaws on materials and depth of burial. Where a property is listed or lies within Kelso’s conservation area, Historic Environment Scotland may need to be informed if walls or floors are being disturbed. We handle all paperwork and inspections on your behalf.
How much will a pipe upgrade cost and what guarantees do you offer?
Prices vary with property size, pipe runs and material choice, but as a guide a complete internal re-pipe on a typical Kelso semi-detached house starts around £2,200–£2,800 including labour, first-fix plaster repairs and certification. A straightforward lead-supply swap generally falls between £650 and £1,000. After our free survey we give you a fixed written quotation. All workmanship is guaranteed for a minimum of 12 years, and manufacturers’ warranties on copper, PEX and MDPE pipe range from 25 years to lifetime cover.