Gas detection re water leak for parent loathe to let people in - insurance or direct?

[polesapart]

Push button toilet.

For example.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Surely there is a stop cock/valve where the meter is located? If so turn it all off a check what the meter is doing, they are not infallible. If the leak is underground then a new accessible stop cock wont make any difference unless you get lucky and it is fitted before the actual leak although it will help to narrow down the options.

I read it, as the meter was out by the roadside.

 

[Razor900]

Has anyone tried asking the neighbours to see where their internal stoptap is?

 

[dilalio]

A main stop valve will let you test in stages. If you close it, and still have a leak, then it will be something outside.

I suspect that Thames mean there is no leak on their supply pipe, there is no way to check yours if you can't turn the mains off in the house.

This is worth noting.

I've had numerous "leaks" reported to customers by water supplier - due to consumption.

Several have turned out to be the suppliers fault, whereby they installed new water meters in the pavement and didn't tighten the connection on the customer's side properly!

As it's in the footpath, regular plumbers can't dig up and investigate.

Had one where Thames water eventually paid customer money back after I arranged for a new main to be moled through to his garage and leak still persisted - it was from the connection at their meter. They also refunded the excess water usage.

Take note - the meter fitters can be slap dash and don't always turn water on after they've done their bit, in case no-one is home and doing so could cause an internal flood - so it doesn't get tested at downstream connection.

 

[PeteMP]

Escalation to gas leak detection may not be required.

There may be an issue an experienced plumber can spot in five minutes if he's given the space to look around.

The plumber I got in is meant to be experienced. Just a bit concerning that the Thames Water engineer was adamant that what was under my mum's sink was the stop cock when the plumber was adamant that it was just to isolate the cold tap. Guess I could get another plumber in to have a look...

 

[dilalio]

The plumber I got in is meant to be experienced. Just a bit concerning that the Thames Water engineer was adamant that what was under my mum's sink was the stop cock when the plumber was adamant that it was just to isolate the cold tap. Guess I could get another plumber in to have a look...

My money would be on your plumber being right.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The plumber I got in is meant to be experienced. Just a bit concerning that the Thames Water engineer was adamant that what was under my mum's sink was the stop cock when the plumber was adamant that it was just to isolate the cold tap. Guess I could get another plumber in to have a look...

It is simple to check....

Turn it off, run the cold at the sink, to ensure you have turned it off, then flush toilet(s), try bath cold tap, washbasin. If they still flow, your plumber is correct.

Another possibility, could be that one meter, feeds two, or more properties, and your mother is being charged for the lot.

 

[dilalio]

Another possibility, could be that one meter, feeds two, or more properties, and your mother is being charged for the lot.

They don't put meters on shared supplies.
It can/and has happen(ed) on rare occasions but usually with flats/apartments not houses.

 

[Razor900]

Is there an outside loo? Quite often a leak will be at a tee on a wiped lead joint. It must be possible to find out where the incoming mains pipe is and just fit a new stop tap.

Leak detection is a last resort and not usually all that good in my experience

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

They don't put meters on shared supplies.
It can/and has happen(ed) on rare occasions but usually with flats/apartments not houses.

They shouldn't put meters on shared supplies, but there have been instances of them doing that on here.

 

[dilalio]

Leak detection is a last resort and not usually all that good in my experience

The only guy I would trust is the one on YouTube "the original leak detective". He knows his stuff and has loads of experience.

A lot of others, who I have come in behind, are youngsters with all the gear but no idea... Been on a course for the agency they work for and that's about it!

I've found the actual source(s) using plumbcraft and ignored the 30 page report, with photos, that cost £several-hundred that customer(s) have been given!

 

[dilalio]

They shouldn't put meters on shared supplies, but there have been instances of them doing that on here.

Like I said... Rare.
In the field, I've encountered perhaps 3 out of 100s.