Thames Water no longer free leak repair

TVPIPE

Approx 2 weeks ago whilst I was at work, a Thames Water engineer called at the house and advised the wife that they believed there to be a leak on the supply pipe to the property. He "confirmed" this by turning off the stopcock in the house and then showing that the meter (we are not on meter charge but all house appear to be fitted with meter in preparation for metering) was still spinning..... The engineer advised that Thames Water provided a free fix on the first leak and not to worry.

Anyway, yesterday we received a letter from Thames Water stating that they had not heard from us re the leak and that as it was a supply pipe leak we were liable for repairs/replacement. On telephoning Thames Water, we were advised that there had been a mistake as the engineer was new and Thames Water no longer offered the free fix (withdrawn August 08)....we this was annoying. Apparently, they do offer a small contribution £95 for a repair of £215 for a replacement towards the total bill. We also have to arrange the repair ourselves.

A neighbour down the road had a similar problem and he was annoyed and didn't believe there to be a leak...he somehow got Thames Water to come back out and they actually changed the valve on his meter and miraculously the leak was no more!!!

There are a number of questions I have.....

Has anyone had a similar issue - in having a supply pipe leak....how much did it cost to repair/replace...

If Thames Water refuse to confirm the leak, how can I query their assessment.... the meter was fitted last year during a whole street programme of new mains pipes in the road....I have the theory that any leak was caused/ is linked to this......

Do you think this is something that can be claimed on the house insurance.....

Sorry for the long winded explanation....but am very concerned re this and the possible expense....:mad:

house ins
meter leaking

Cardew

Where is the leaking water going? If it isn't causing damage to your property, and you are not metered, it seems to me it is Thames Water's problem!!!

I would explain as above to the Consumer Council for Water( http://www.ccwater.org.uk/ ) and ask them to take up the matter. Particularly stress that you have grounds for thinking the leak was caused last year when they laid pipes.

Guy_1

Could you please advise me of your outcome? We too have had a letter from thames water claiming we have a leak, but they cannot say how much or where the leak may be other than it will cost £000's to put right if we do nothing!

Thank you

Gothicfairy

Guy
Have you checked your meter readings ? is the meter showing the leak or not ? If it is then the leak is after the meter if not then it is before.

If the leak is on the communication pipe from the main onto your property then it is down to you to repair and pay for. So it all depends on the lay out of your property and if you can work out where the leak might be.
Also what makes Thames say there is a leak ? Have you asked ?

Guy_1

Thank you Gothicfairy

We called out one of thames water approved plumbers and he cannot identify a leak - not unsurprisingly thames water do not believe him. The approved plumber spoke to thames water whilst he was here and had far more technical looking kit with him than the original contractor who borrowed a glass from us to fill up. We do not have a water meter fitted and do not wish to have one installed as neighbours now pay more for their water than we do on the ratable value system!
We now have to wait for Thames water to come out again over the next two weeks and have been told not to have the washing machine or dishwasher on if we are not at home as this will mean that they detect a leak. I have to say that it is a contractor and not an employee of Thames water who comes around to do these tests initially, no doubt paid for each individual visit made!
Thames water contractrors apparently come around at night sounding out everyones water pipes for leaks - I'm guessing they can tick some box to say that they have cured another leak if they can get hapless homeowners to foot the bill better still. we have plenty of burst water mains in London many of which Thames water are not in a hurry to repair and usually end up merely being patched up only to leak again weeks later on!

I would be interested to know the outcome of the earlier post still though.