Leaking pipe causing property damage

stuart45

I'd at least get that pipe protected and lagged before the winter. Looks like it's had a few Speedfit repairs before.

dutchcloggie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050523#Comment_82050523

Yeah. 3 in a pipe of about 3 metres. There is no mention of that on the survey. Surely that doesn't fall under a drainage survey but is part of a normal survey???

Section62

Plumber has been for emergency fix.

It looks like there is an earth bonding clamp/cable the plumber hasn't reattached to the new pipe. Combined with the pipe to the left being a mix of copper and plastic (along with the use of plastic connectors) he's possibly left you with an unsafe installation - there's different views on the need for bonding when plastic pipes are in use, but removing bonding on metalic pipes (especially those outside or in the ground) is not a good idea.

Did he confirm the pipe is lead?

Where is the neighbour who shares the service? Are they opposite this wall?

dutchcloggie

Oh. I didn't know that.

That wasn't attached to anything before either.

To clarify, I asked him to do an emergency fix to stop the leaking. We will be discussing the full works required later this week. The plastic push fit obviously was not done by him but by previous cowboys.

The neighbour is opposite this wall. It's an Airbnb. I don't know who owns what bit of pipe and who is responsible for what. Welsh Water have been contacted regarding lead pipe replacement. So hopefully their survey will clarify all that.

Section62

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050587#Comment_82050587

That wasn't attached to anything before either.

It looked like it was attached to an old-type clamp on the pipe? So was the wire just hanging loose?

dutchcloggie

I'll check later. I'm not home now.

bjorn_toby_wilde

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050394#Comment_82050394

I don’t, but you said -

• Surface water (from guttering) and sink waste should not be discharging into the same drain.

and I was just pointing out (as others have) that it often does in older houses without an issue.

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050587#Comment_82050587

I would put a hold on getting anything done to the outside pipe with the plumber until you know if you are getting lead removal done for free and where the new installation is going.

Maybe too late now but if she gets on with any of the neighbours she could ask if they have had their water pipes removed and also see if any of the old pipes are in the same place as hers. That is if the houses are the same layout.

dutchcloggie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050693#Comment_82050693

Yes. Now that the leak has been repaired, we can take our time to plan the next few steps. Some drains need replacing so it would make sense to do that at the same time.

Thank you for the advice.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050728#Comment_82050728

Well done for getting the main issue sorted.

No 'rush' - ie, winter ain't upon us yet.

Get your info and 'rights' absolutely clear before you engage anyone to do further work. To be clear, I do not know what the facts are here, but I would get clarification - in writing/email - about things like a single S/C that covers two properties, and what happens if it needs turning off in future; what are the WB's obligations, and hence what should they be doing to sort this now.

No, a standard survey would not be expected to clear away a layer of chippings to see what lurks below. The only possible issue you may have with the seller - and it's a long shot - is if it could be shown that they must have known, and literally covered it up. Tbh, I suspect that's a non-starter.

So, consider your options, and get quotes for each.