Any Severn Trent Water Experts out there?

[jojo]

Another day another problem at work.... when will it end?

So I had a small water leak in my kitchen, nothing major, just required a corner join to be replaced and and resealed, and we're back to normal... but nothing is ever simple here, small things becomes a ****** mini adventure!

Plumber guy thinks it's a 30 minute job tops until he finds out we have to shut the water at the mains, as there is no inline stop tap on the pipe leading to the leak, so we have to close the water off at the mains, which surprise surprise doesn't actually close it off 100%, as it's prehistoric(think 30 years+ minimum!) and a bit seized! So he goes outside the building to locate the main water stop and flip open the watermeter thing approx. 5m in front of my shop, there we see a meter twirling away, and no water running inside the shop apart from a slow dripping water leak! He told me to contact STW water first thing in the morning, as somethings not right, it shouldn't even be moving, never mind the flow he can see on the meter, and it's costing me money!!

So after being sent forwards and backwards between billing and water&sewage @STW, I'm finally getting someone out to see to it in the next 24hrs to check for leaks between the meter and the building. I've been informed by the bods @STW any damage or repair work needed between the meter and the building is my responsibility!

I'm now praying that there's is some sort of leak, and that a repair will help me save money in the long run, as the water bills are quite high, but I'm also fearing a a hefty bill for any repairs required!

Anyone can offer me advice on the situation, or have I done pretty much all I can on the situation? Also, when it comes to an actual repair, do I have to go with SWT contractors and just pay what they want, or can I find a third party to carry out the work. The problem I have here of course is, I need an immediate fix, but I don't want to be ripped off!

What do you guys think?

:Flush:

 

[205man]

jojo they are right regarding fixing the pipe they are only resposible upto the meter and from there onwards its up to you to deal with.
which if i remember correctly means you can get anyone to fit new water pipes/repairs.........i know that the previous company i worked for did after we dug through their mains between house and meter with a digger.

we just turned the water off at mains and repalced the pipework back to the house

alan

 

[Nilz]

Jo, you can go with anyone really, it doesnt have to be a SWT person....

I had to use someone over the winter, as I had a pipe go in the garden, ended up being a right ar5e of a job, but was recomended a plumber who quickly came out and sorted it for me....

I can pass a number on to you if you like mate, just let me know.

Nilz

 

[unkle]

What do you guys think?

:Flush:

Change of occupation is needed....

 

[sportstractor]

As said after the stopcock is your problem. Might be that your insurance may cover it but you usually get specilist insurance for water systems. You might be able to get some money back on water bills if it does turn out to be a leak. If you do have to pay, shop around for quotes

 

[jojo]

Right, SWT came to have a look, I need to repair the water stop inside the shop before they can confirm there's a leak between building and meter. The engineer thinks it may well be a free repair, as the land outside the shop is essentially the council's, so they claim it back off them.

 

[jojo]

Change of occupation is needed....

Tell me about it...

 

[jojo]

Right, stoptap in building has been repaired at last, leak between building and meter confirmed! Anyone know much about the leakage allowance, and how much I can claim back? It's not a small leak neither.

 

[unkle]

It's not a small leak neither.

 

[jojo]

Haha, mate, if it was that bad, I would need a re-morgage to pay the water bill!

Anyways, back to STW, with my insistance that the leak is not a small one, and costing both me and STW money! They will send out a repair team to carry out the work on Friday!! 5 days from now....

 

[Dazmo]

Lol the pressure through that thing must be immense!

 

[sportstractor]

that pic is unreal. i wonder whats its purpose. Maybe early attempts to jet propel GB further from france.

Jojo you have to get a high consumption assessor to have a look to possibly get money back on bills. This is done thhrough you local waterboard, not sure if this will come as part of procedure when sort leak, no doubt you will have to chase it yourself.

 

[jojo]

OK, further update on this, I've had the leak fixed! yay!!

Only problem I have now is whose paying for the repair.... the first bunch of STW engineers(contractors more likely) had a nose around the area and got a 'free repair form' for me to sign, as they thought the repair should be free, since the leaking bit of the pipe is on the pavement bit in front of the shop, so not technically owned my the landlord.
A week later, another STW engineer, in a proper STW van comes to inspect again and get a 'free repair form' for me to sign again, as he can make things move faster, and I had the leak repaired 4 days later, which was Tuesday this week.
Just got a call from the contractors who did the repair to say I'm responsible for the repair, but I didn't get further into the conversation, as I was driving, so they are call me back in a hour hopefully.

Anyone got any ideas where I stand on this? I understand that any leaks or water pipework going from the meter into my shop is my responsibility, but there is approx. 6m between the meter and the building which I'm pretty sure is not the owned or the responsibilty of the landlord. the problem I have here also is, I wasn't given a choice as to who I could have got the repair done with, so the bill I could be looking at could be any figure!?