Water appearing outside/insurance

TraceyB_2

My Dad has a problem with his patio whereby a puddle keeps appearing from nowhere - everytime he sweeps it away, it reappears!

He has called the Water company to come out and have a look at it but does anyone know where he stands (apart from in a puddle!) if the fault does not lie with the water companies pipes?

Would his buildings insurance cover him for any work required (not sure if most policies are the same?). I had a feeling that it is usually something along the lines of where about the problem pipe is - if its indoors then yes but no for outdoors?

Also, does anyone know if the water company can insist on him having to have their contractors do the work.

I know that it is a lot of ifs and buts at the minute as we don't know what the problem is - but as a pensioner, he is just panicking that he'll end up being ripped off - bless him!

Thanks for any help :beer:

ToAoB

I am not quite sure - but if there is a water meter/main stopcock and the pipe from the house leading up to the meter is the responsibility of the owner, thereafters is the water board.

It appears that your dad may be liable - I am not sure how building contents works, have a look in the schedule of cover. If your dad has the British Gas 3 star service with water and drains coverage, they may cover it.

I'm sure others would correct me if I am wrong.

lapat

maybe i can help here
wont say what i do or who i work for but depending on which utility company you are under it works differentley.
if you can answer me a few questions i can probably help
1.what type of property is it i.e detached.semi,terrace
2.do you know where the external stop tap is and where the external pipework lies
3.do you have additional insurance provided by your utility company
4. does the flow seem to be lower on the first cold tap i.e kitchen

let me have the answers to these questions and your location in the country and your current water supplier and i may be able to advise somewhat more

Fraserca

Try turning off the water to the building for a few hours. Sweep away the water and see if it comes back. Should prove if its a bust main supply.

If he is on a meter and its his leak then beware of a large water supply bill

lapat

tracey b let me have your replies to my previous post within this thread

Rikki

You are responsible for the water pipe from the meter if you have one, or from the stop tap on the main road. the water companies offer water insurance to cover this pipe. Mines about £15 per year.

lapat

rikki
you are obviousley getting this exeptionaly cheap at £15 a year(the average is £45) and its not supplied by any utility company they just endorse it with there logos and take a percentage from sales.

and depending on which water company supplies your property they have different standards of service depending on what ofwat(watervoice) has made them put in place.so no you are not ultimatley responsible for leakage within your boundary and even if you are and you are on a meter again depending on which provider you may be entitled to a rebate of the wasted water of upto 60% of your latest bill providing you have done everything neccesary to repair the leak.

i was also asking if they are a terrace for a reason as again depending on how the property is supplied(csp) common supply pipe then most utility companys offer at least one free repair per year on this pipework.(most will do more to reuce there leakage levels as they get heaviley penalised monitary wise if they dont hit these targets set by the regulator).

most utility companys will also provide one free repair on your external pipework a year.again for the same reasons as above. some even will come into the property on seprate supplies.providing it doesnt run in concrete flooring(tends to lead to excessive comp claims)

need anymore info let me know