Non-motoring > Water leak	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: CGNorwich	Replies: 37

Thu 12 Dec 24 13:47   Water leak - CGNorwich

Got a letter from Anglian Water yesterday advising me that I most likely had a leak. Am using water 24 hours a day. Checked on their app which provides consumption figures on an hourly basis and this is indeed the case. Approx 20 litres per hour even though in the small hours. Checked the external metre today with the house stop cock turned off and I do indeed seem to have a leak somewhere between the stopcock and the house - approx 150 feet of pipe Meter chamber was full of water so that might be a clue. Rang Anglian water and they are sending a man out next week. Must say that Anglian Water seem to be quite helpful. Their App provides usage figures on an hourly basis fed by smart meter. Quickly got through to someone intelligent on the phone who was quite helpful. Hopefully will get this sorted quickly. They estimate that my currrent water consumption is over £800 per annum over what it should be Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 13:55   Water leak - Bromptonaut

We had exactly the same message from AW shortly after they fitted a smart water meter. Using about 3 litres an hour even in the small hours. The week reported was while we were away on Gran Canaria. Been aware for a while of a slow drip from the mixer tap in the kitchen. Sometimes actually from the tap and at others a drip around the gland on the hot tap. I think we might also have had a dripping tap in the en-suite shower/toilet as it need a firm tweak to shut it tight. Replaced both valves in the kitchen and hard hard word with myself about making sure tap is fully off after use. Now had a second letter telling us the leak is stopped and asking if we want a leakage allowance. I won't bother as it was only bad for a week but we got a significant refund last time when there was a leak where the incoming supply met the stopcock under the base of a kitchen cabinet. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 09:35   Water leak - tyrednemotional

>> Been aware for a while of a slow drip from the mixer tap in the >> kitchen. Sometimes actually from the tap and at others a drip around the gland on >> the hot tap. I think we might also have had a dripping tap in the >> en-suite shower/toilet as it need a firm tweak to shut it tight. >> >> Replaced both valves in the kitchen and hard hard word with myself about making sure >> tap is fully off after use. >> I must admit, I felt quite smug last weekend. I noticed that the mixer end of the "bar" type shower valve in the bathroom shower was leaking somewhat. (It gets limited use as the one in the shower room downstairs has considerably better flow). Once I'd finally levered the chrome screw cover off the knob and removed it, wiggling the valve via the spindle caused water to flow from round the valve body. It looked like it might "nip up", but it was immovable (in either direction), so a decision was made to replace the full unit. Local Screwfix was my friend at £45. A few months ago, I finally got round to replacing a gate valve and two stop taps, all of which were seized to the point of not fully closing. I'd already done one gate valve, and it was easy. The three in question were all pigs, partially due to access, and partially due to having to remove the old olives. In addition, the rising main pipe had a pinhole in it just under the stop tap, round the back and only discovered when it was still weeping after tightening the new tap. That required a length of pipe cutting and replacing. The job spread over a couple of days!. BUT, having been pre-emptive, what could have been a long job wasn't. The shower bar was replaced in around 3 minutes. Hot and cold gate valves closed, drain the shower for about 20 seconds. Nuts off the wall connections (they were only finger tight!), remove and replace with new bar, and nip up. Job's a good 'un. Incidentally, I hadn't come up against that type of valve before (the new bar has a similar arrangement). It is a multiple input, thermostatic one which is simply a push-fit, secured by a grub screw which is underneath, and very apparent when the bar was removed. It simply cannot be tightened, though I might have got away with replacing all three O-rings to make it a better fit (but it was a very loose fit). Checking for replacement valves, it appears that one would have cost me £70, somewhat more than the complete replacement. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 13:56   Water leak - Zero

I am always fascinated by the bloke with a pole and listening cup on the end who pinpoint the area. Some water companies actually employ diviners. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 14:13   Water leak - CGNorwich

>> I am always fascinated by the bloke with a pole and listening cup on the >> end who pinpoint the area. Some water companies actually employ diviners. >> It’s amazing that it still seems to be the best method. Very Victorian. We had a visit from one of those 30 years ago in another house. They had to wait until most people had gone to be bed and stopped flushing their toilets before they could locate the leak which was just our side of the stopcock in the front garden. My wife had been plying them with sandwiches and cups of tea while they waited so they put it down as their problem and was repaired free of charge. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 15:42   Water leak - Ted

I still use a length of wooden dowel, about24X.25 inches, to listen to bearing in a running engine. Thumb in ear, end of rod against first joint. Young mechanics must think we oldsters are potty. Maybe we are....but it works ! Ted Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 16:40   Water leak - Dog

Yup, I used to use a long screwdriver to pinpoint noisy injuns Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 10:59   Water leak - VxFan

>> Yup, I used to use a long screwdriver to pinpoint noisy injuns You can't beat the screwdriver stethoscope. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 16:14   Water leak - tyrednemotional

>> I am always fascinated by the bloke with a pole and listening cup on the >> end who pinpoint the area. Had this a couple of weeks ago up and down the road for a day or two. Neighbour opposite has subsequently had a new (replacement) meter installed in the pavement ;-) . Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 17:15   Water leak - neiltoo

>> diviners. I've had success with divining. Two bent coathanger wires in Bic biro tubes. They cross as you pass a water pipe (unfortunately they do with gas and drain pipes, so you need to think about what may be around.) Located drains when we built our house forty years ago, but i've helped several people since then. I don't believe that it's anything to do with the coathangers or, if you will, hazel twigs. Whatever the "influence" is, I think that it moves your arms or wrists microscopically, which affecrs the "tellet" 8o) Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 13:59   Water leak - Manatee

Hope that it is well away from the house. A big leak in the wrong place can wash away a lot of muck. I'm sure that's where some of these sink holes come from. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 14:18   Water leak - CGNorwich

Our land is extremely free draining, we are build on top of a reclaimed infilled gravel pit so water soaks away fast so I guess that is why I cannot find any surface evidence of a leak. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 15:49   Water leak - zippy

Our now deceased neighbour persuaded the water company to fit meters in our garages (both under the house). I am glad he did. A week or two after we moved in two bods from the water company (actually their subcontractor) discovered a big leak just our side of the stopcock on the pavement some 20 - 30 meters from the meter. They fixed it free of charge as it was such a big leak and would have cost a small fortune on metered water. >>Smart water meter. Cool. Didn't know these were a thing. Mind you, our smart electric and gas meters never seem to be smart for more than a week at a time. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 16:11   Water leak - smokie

Many areas (mine included) aren't expected to get smart water meters for a few years. I had one fitted for the first time earlier this year and I think they can drive-by readings but I can't get info from it. Of course there are people on the nerdy forums I frequent who have rigged up devices to read the digits on their meter and transmit it to themselves. Even I really am at a loss what the point of quite so much data is. Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 16:57   Water leak - Zero

>> Even I >> really am at a loss what the point of quite so much data is. Its used to fill up your NAS, and something else you can back up Reply to this message | Report message       1

Thu 12 Dec 24 16:13   Water leak - martin aston

We had a meter fitted by Thames Water a couple of months ago. We requested it as our council tax band means we paid a lot and now it’s just the two of us we should save. The meter is described as “smart” It’s fitted in a manhole at the end of our drive and has some electrical bits but we haven’t got any personal reader. All we can do is peer down the hole and read it. I presume TW can read it remotely. We have the Thames Water App but that’s just online billing. It looks as if there is nothing smart for us as consumers. I will need to ask around the neighbours to find out if that’s all we are due as I would like to see our usage and, as in the previous posts, be able to detect abnormal consumption. PS crossed with Smokie’s post so I am not alone Last edited by: martin aston on Thu 12 Dec 24 at 16:15 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 18:19   Water leak - smokie

Friends have been badgering us for yers to swap. SWMBO always dead against as she likes to water the garden (a lot) and not re-use shower water down the loo (yes, some do!). I managed to persuade her on the basis that we are now away for three months a year. We used to pay £80 pm for 10 months. 1st half year bill came in at £28 a month (but that'll be over 12 months so £336 p v. £800). Quite some saving, which we could have been enjoying for years.!! Last edited by: smokie on Thu 12 Dec 24 at 18:20 Reply to this message | Report message

Thu 12 Dec 24 18:31   Water leak - sooty123

I'd not heard of smart water meters either. Looks like they hoping to roll them out by 2030, no doubt they'll be extending that date. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 13:25   Water leak - CGNorwich

>> I'd not heard of smart water meters either. Looks like they hoping to roll them >> out by 2030, no doubt they'll be extending that date. >> Had our smart meter for nearly two years although the app was only available fairly recently. I guess Norwich is at the cutting edge of technological innovation. Last edited by: CGNorwich on Fri 13 Dec 24 at 13:26 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 13:44   Water leak - Zero

Norfolk swap folk have always been at the forefront of water management, they learned all from the below sea level dwellers of the fens. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 13:55   Water leak - CGNorwich

People think Norfolk is flat but who can forget the epic trek up and the sweeping vistas from the top of Beeston Bump, a soaring 63 metres above sea level. Practically Alpine. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 14:26   Water leak - zippy

>> People think Norfolk is flat but who can forget the epic trek up and the >> sweeping vistas from the top of Beeston Bump, a soaring 63 metres above sea level. >> Practically Alpine. >> I think you're pulling a fast one CGN, probably to keep all the tourists at bay - I've seen the mountains on TV so it has got to be true! www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy7kd7g2lxyo :-) Last edited by: zippy on Fri 13 Dec 24 at 14:26 Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 15:06   Water leak - Zero

>> People think Norfolk is flat but who can forget the epic trek up and the >> sweeping vistas from the top of Beeston Bump, a soaring 63 metres above sea level. >> Practically Alpine. I'd stay there for a while then. You dont need to visit the seaside, it comes to visit you. permanently Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 15:21   Water leak - sooty123

I looked up our area, no date just says, smart water meters coming soon. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 16:44   Water leak - Rudedog

Lucky you’re not with TW – they put flyers through the whole of our area inviting homeowners to have a meter fitted so they sorry we could ‘save’ money, apparently they needed a minimum number to make it worth their while. I like many others ignored it – then a second flyers came around several weeks later – this time they highlighted the fact that TW has mandated powers to enforce the fitting of a meter as we were (?are) classed as being in a drought area. Didn’t think anything of it – then I came back from a week away in March only to find a leaflet through the door giving me the details and serial number of the meter they had come onto my property and fitted (using the mandated powers). The meter actually sits inside the main external stop-c o c k (ours is half way up our drive) and works by acoustics – so listens to the noise the mains water makes flowing into your house and calculates the volume used – they warn you not to touch it as the readings are picked up when a TW van drives by and interrogates the meter – no idea how they are powered. Not had a bill yet but I think we get a year on the old system before we have no choice. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 18:18   Water leak - R.P.

We had a leak in the last place. Welsh Water turned up with the "pole" and identified the spot on our driveway. Repaired free of charge fair play. Reply to this message | Report message

Fri 13 Dec 24 22:25   Water leak - bathtub tom

>>Not had a bill yet but I think we get a year on the old system before we have no choice. My last place had a compulsory meter fitted, but we'd been in it so long we could opt for pricing on rateable value still. SWMBO used the w/m and d/w so much I used to read the meter and work out the difference. It never costed in. I understood you can continue to be billed on rateable value, until you choose to pay for metered water, or until the property changes hands, in which case the new occupiers would have no option. Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 18 Dec 24 15:30   Water leak - CGNorwich

Man from Anglian water turned up today. Unfortunately he confirmed that the leak is on my property somewhere and therefore my problem to fix. He pointed out that virtually all household policies will cover leak tracing up to £5,000 although not necessarily the repair. He also confirmed that as long as I get the leak fixed in 30 days they will refund me for the excess water lost. I rang Zurich and thay advised that they have a contractor for this and they will arranged for him to call. They will both trace the leak and repair it. Zurich were very helpful unlike the Spanish Inquisition I went through with them over my hearing aid loss claim Only slight problem is that Christmas is looming and of course Britain grinds to a halt for two weeks but overall looking good. The man from Anglian Water said they would be a bit flexible if I exceeded the 30 day deadline for a refund because of this Reply to this message | Report message

Wed 18 Dec 24 15:49   Water leak - Falkirk Bairn

In Scotland £2.50 was added to all water bills every year. This covers any water leaks out with the actual building no matter how close to the house. Previously you could buy insurance cover BUT this was some £60 /year. No water meters here except for commercial sites. Rains a lot here! Only the odd pocket in Fife & Angus have supply issues in really hot summers. Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 23 Dec 24 12:48   Water leak - CGNorwich

Yesterday I got a letter form Anglian Water telling me that they notices I still have not got the leak fixed! Insurance Co contractors arrived today and did a Hydrogen test. They pumped hydrogen into the supply pipe and used a detector to detect its escape. High levels on the pavement area near the stopcock so it looks like it may well be the Water Co's problem after all. Spoke to Water Co. Of course its going to be after Christmas now before they do anything Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 13 Jan 25 15:00   Water leak - CGNorwich

Now had a further visit by water company. Confirmed he could hear a leak with his listening pole. He couldn’t authorise digging up the pavement. That needs authorisation by the dig manager. Dig manager called a week later. Confirmed he could also hear leak. Arranged for dig team. Dig team arrived today. Excavated hole and then left. Meanwhile have had two more letters advising I need to fix leak and an advice that they are increasing my monthly payments by £25 Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 13 Jan 25 16:09   Water leak - smokie

When they installed a water meter for us in the past year it was rather protracted. The dig team dug it out but it was days before anyone came to fit the new meter. Then more days before it was filled in again. Over a week in total IIRC Reply to this message | Report message

Sat 18 Jan 25 20:20   Water leak - CGNorwich

Dig duly excavated meter but not the bit between the meter and the footpath which is where I had advised them that the leak probaby was Phoned Water Company and following long conversation they agreed to revisit. Man came round and agreed they had dug the hole in the wrong place. Said it could be a while before they can come back again due to the number of leaks in the area following cold spell. This evening noticed an ominous wet patch is spreading down the driveway and a puddle in the roadway. Leakage rate now looks to be around 30 litres an hour. Received an email from Water Company yesterday "How are we doing?" Following our recent visit would you care to fill in the attached questionnaire?" Last edited by: CGNorwich on Sat 18 Jan 25 at 20:21 Reply to this message | Report message

Mon 27 Jan 25 18:11   Water leak - CGNorwich

Water Co have now been and dug up three metres of pavement. No sign of the leak! Since leak must be under mine or neigbours property have now re-contacted the Insurance Company's engineers and they now coming out next week. This saga could run and run. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 25 Feb 25 19:48   Water leak - CGNorwich

The saga continues. The leak detection engineers have been back and identified a leak 40 feet down my shared drive. They came again today with the intention of bypassing the leak with a new section of pipe driven horizontally under the drive. They brought their moler with them but the machine was thwarted by the rubble and old concrete under the drive. They should be back again in a few days with a digger and are now going to dig a forty foot trench down the drive. Meanwhile leak has crept up to 50 litres an hour. Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 25 Feb 25 20:02   Water leak - smokie

Is it your house insurance picking up the cost, the whole cost? Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 25 Feb 25 20:07   Water leak - CGNorwich

Yes all bar the £350 excess. Like most household policies it cover cost of leaks up tp £5,000 Reply to this message | Report message

Tue 1 Apr 25 21:17   Water leak - CGNorwich

Well the saga continues. The contractors have been back with digger and connected up a section of new new piping to bi-pass the leak. They left however with the trenching uncompleted as they had apparently exceeded the time the insurance company had allocated for the job. I now have a digger parked upon the drive with a pile of excavated material to the annoyance of the neighbours with whom I share the drive On checking the water conpany's website a day after the contractors departure I discovered that despite the contractors assurance that the leak was fiixed I am now losing water at a greater rated than ever - 60 litres an hour. Rang the Leak Company today who say they are awaiting contactor's report and then have to seek approval for more work from the Insurers. Not very happy. Three and a half months since water company advised me of the leak, 130,000 litres of water wasted and no further forward than when this whole sorry saga started. Reply to this message | Report message