Flow Rates
Flow Rates | Pipe Upgrades | Plumbing | Manchester
From Victorian terraces in Chorlton to sleek apartments in Ancoats, Manchester’s homes and businesses rely on steady water pressure to keep life flowing. HEP’s Flow Rates Plumbing team specialises in transformative pipe upgrades that replace tired, narrowed or corroded lines with high-capacity materials built for modern demand. Our Gas Safe and WaterSafe engineers diagnose every restriction, calculate the perfect diameter for your system, and fit new pipework with minimal disruption—often in a single day—so taps run stronger, boilers heat faster and energy bills shrink.
Customers choose us for clear, upfront pricing, tidy workmanship and the reassurance of a 10-year workmanship guarantee. Whether you’re renovating a listed property, adding an en-suite or future-proofing a bustling restaurant, we fine-tune your water flow to match your ambitions. Book a free site assessment today and feel the difference the moment you turn on the tap.
FAQs
Why might my home in Manchester need a pipe upgrade to improve water flow rates?
Older houses across Greater Manchester often still have original galvanised steel or narrow-bore lead supply pipes. Over time these corrode internally, reducing the internal diameter and restricting flow. If you notice weak shower pressure, slow-filling baths, or multiple outlets struggling when used together, replacing the pipework with modern 25 mm or 32 mm MDPE can instantly lift flow rates to current Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations standards.
What size of new supply pipe is recommended for better flow?
For most domestic properties we install 25 mm MDPE from the external boundary to the internal stop-tap. Where a property has more than two bathrooms, large rain-shower heads or high-output combi/megaflow cylinders, we suggest upsizing to 32 mm to future-proof the system. Both sizes comply with United Utilities’ requirements and provide a significant flow improvement over the typical 15 mm lead or steel pipe they replace.
Will upgrading my supply pipe increase my water pressure as well as the flow rate?
Upgrading primarily improves flow (the volume of water in litres per minute). Manchester’s mains pressure is reasonably good at 2–4 bar, but narrow or corroded pipes throttle that pressure once water starts moving. By removing this bottleneck a new pipe allows more water through, so your taps feel ‘stronger’. The static mains pressure itself usually stays the same; you simply benefit from the pressure now being delivered at a much higher flow rate.
How much does a typical pipe upgrade cost in the Manchester area?
Costs depend on pipe length, ground conditions, and whether we use trenchless moling or open-cut trenches. A standard 10-metre moling upgrade from boundary box to kitchen stop-tap usually ranges between £850 and £1,150 plus VAT, including reinstatement and WaterSafe certification. Longer runs, drives with reinforced concrete, or upgrades that require road closures will add to the price, but we provide a fixed quotation after a free site inspection.
Will the work be disruptive to my garden or driveway?
We use trenchless moling equipment wherever possible. Small launch and reception pits (about 30 cm square) are created at either end of the run, allowing the mole to bore underground without disturbing lawns, patios or tarmac. When we must trench—e.g. around tree roots or complex utilities—we cut neatly and reinstate to match. Most homeowners are surprised how little evidence remains once we finish and tidy the site.
Do I need permission from United Utilities or the local council before upgrading?
For supply pipes that run solely within your property boundary you do not usually need advance permission, but any new connection to the street main or work in the public footway requires a Section 50 permit from Manchester City Council and approval from United Utilities. As WaterSafe-registered plumbers we handle all paperwork, chlorination, pressure testing and certification. We also arrange for United Utilities to replace any old stop-tap or lead communication pipe up to their boundary box free of charge in most cases.