HELP PLS - Electric Mains Cable in Garden near surface ?

thescouselander

I dont think you should pay up if they want to charge you. If it was too near the surface and it is the electrric companys property then they should have buried it deeper - its worth a try anyway - I would argue it.

If it turns out you do have to pay your household insurance may cover you. Suggest you call them as soon as you have got off the phone to the electric company.

duncan320

As stated above they may wish to replace the whole cable up your drive, depending where it goes to, they will generaly come and take a look first. As i said above i have known them reduce the cost if you dig the cable out yourself ready, if they agree to this, if its a long drive, it might take you a good few hours but if they agree you might half your cost you pay them as it will be done manually by spade and your paying for there labour, obvious if you agree to this do be careful, as its a old cable it could be damaged in other places and frail. Sometimes they choose to reapir the cable, will rejoin if possible with what looks like a giant insulated connector block, othertimes replace a section of cable. If its as old as you say they tend to replace.

christopher_h

thescouselander wrote: »

I dont think you should pay up if they want to charge you. If it was too near the surface and it is the electrric companys property then they should have buried it deeper - its worth a try anyway - I would argue it.

If it turns out you do have to pay your household insurance may cover you. Suggest you call them as soon as you have got off the phone to the electric company.

great idea bout the house insurance - if the tree and water pipe problems have been caused by the tree roots then maybe we could make a successful claim - it's time to ask the freeholder for a copy of the insurance documents !!

silvercar

christopher_h wrote: »

hey guys thanks for all your replies ;-)

Now we've discovered the water mains pipe too which is also at a shallow depth (approx 1 and half feet). I wonder if this is cause of the age of the property (1918) ? Maybe they will do it as a free service cause of safety issues and new depth rules - any thoughts pls ?

Chris

Any sewers built before 1937 are the responsibility of the water boards and not the home owner.

never_enough

silvercar wrote: »

Any sewers built before 1937 are the responsibility of the water boards and not the home owner.

Hi silvercar,
Where have you seen this info?
Thanks

silvercar

never_enough wrote: »

Hi silvercar,
Where have you seen this info?
Thanks

google "1937 water responsibility" - without the quotes.

most local authorities and water boards have pages acknowledging this.

MarkyMarkD

It's not a sewer. The OP said it was a mains water supply pipe.

The damage to the electricity cable is certainly the OP's fault and not the electricity board's. But it is accidental damage and household insurance would cover it IF you have accidental damage cover.