Leaking pipe causing property damage

dutchcloggie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050859#Comment_82050859

Yes, the shared stop tap seems ludicrous. It is the only one in the street that is shared. I wonder if it is why it is on rates, not a meter. With a meter, of course this leak would have been found ages ago.

We shall make a list of things to do and questions to ask. The neighbours are an AirBnB and last night's guests refused to let us turn the stop tap off until late, and wanted it back on again early, so we were forced to let it leak and watch the clock until they went to bed.

I think we will start digging up some first and see where the supply lines are. The worry is that the pipes are running underneath the house and enter at the back so how in the world are Welsh Water going to replace that....

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050926#Comment_82050926

"so how in the world are Welsh Water going to replace that...." Almost certainly, they won't. At least not unless they have a generous lead-replacement system in place. The actual leak is not their fault, or responsibility.

But, if you were to say to them that you have a leak on the mains supply, so need to turn off the S/C until it's found, and - oops - that also means another property doesn't have water, they may be obliged to at least split the supply.

Anyhoo, you've sorted the immediate issue. And the solution is almost certainly up to you. Q - does this house have a suspended floor? Ie, is there a void under the boards? If so, I think it would make most sense to bring the new pipe to the front, and then run it under the floor to the back, where it'll come up in a suitable place, and have a full-bore lever valve on it.

dutchcloggie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050959#Comment_82050959

God that sounds expensive…

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82050966#Comment_82050966

What does? Lifting a couple of floorboards, and running an insulated pipe under there? Try comparing that with digging a trench around the house… 😮

Or, if there is a suitable room or cupboard inside on that 'front' wall, then take the pipe up in there, fit a S/C, and then continue the pipe up to the ceiling or loft void, and along and back down to where it meets the original supply.

That's what I did when I moved in here and replaced the old lead - pinched the builder's mini digger, dug a trench, ran the new MDPE to the front of the house, took it inside where the attached garage was, fitted the S/C there, and then ran normal 22mm plastic pipe under the floor to the kitchen. Take the simplest route.

Anything you can DIY will save you loads. Can you dig a trench?! 😉

dutchcloggie

Sounds simple. I am nurse, not an experienced DIY person.... But I'll try to think this through.

Boohoo

I would be surprised if WW replaced any of the lead pipe inside your boundary.

Is your house a semi detached?

I haven't heard of a shared water supply pipe apart from flats but that's why you can't have a water meter.

Have you asked the neighbours about the history of the your home and the nextdoor neighbours as they may have known the previous owner and if they had a supply pipe issues.