Major water leak after plumbers replaced main line?!

3 years ago

Yesterday, a plumbing company replaced the whole main water line under our house. Everything seemed to be working fine when they left - we had water.

But tonight, all of a sudden our faucets stopped working. We ran out to the meter, and the meter was flooded. Water bubbling up from the ground.

We immediately reported the leak to the water company. They came out and shut off the water. They said the line had totally blown off from the meter and was disconnected somehow. Plumbing company supposedly coming tomorrow to fix.

My question is -- do we have any financial recourse with the plumbing company?? We just paid $4000 to have them replace our main line, and it was apparently a botched job. We’re now going to be without water all night because of their mistake. Is there any way we can hold them accountable or make them pay? What is our next step here?

Featured Answer

cat_ky

3 years ago

You may get a small discount at the water company, for water that gushed out, that you didnt use. Hopefully, all will be well after they have finished.

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Comments (10)

curlygirlie1189
Original Author
3 years ago
I have been calm. I called the plumber as soon as I hung up with the water company. That’s why they’re headed out this morning. And I do know how to turn off the water at the meter. I’ve had plenty of experience with it after all the water leak issues we’ve had over the past 8 months. Last night we couldn’t even find the key/spigot though because the entire meter hole was flooded.

“Them fixing it is what you’re owed” is the answer I was looking for. Thank you.
BT
3 years ago
It does not take that big of a leak to fill the meter bucket. We had a minor crack in a sprinkler supply & drain valves pipe and a meter box was flooded. To answer you question: you can take your $150 file small claims court, and you will loose ... And will be upset for the rest of your life or get on with it.
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curlygirlie1189
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Thanks cat_ky!

BT: For clarification, the main line came totally disconnected from the meter. Water was absolutely gushing out and would have flooded our lawn if we hadn't caught it immediately. Basically, it was a monstrous leak. Well, not even sure "leak" is the right word.

Also I have no plans to take a $150 claim to court. I was looking for info about whether this is considered to be more than $150 worth of damage/negligence. Sounds like the answer is no. Thanks for the help everyone.
millworkman
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
It was a mistake. They made you whole by fixing it. I fail to see where you are owned even $150 but I guess that's the world we live in today. I am sure people will rush to work for you going forward once that gets around.
kudzu9
3 years ago
It was unfortunate, but, if you could collect anything in financial damages, the amount of time, energy, and heartburn involved would far outweigh the few bucks you might get. Do your emotional health a favor and let it go.
dan1888
3 years ago
The plumbing company was at fault. If you incurred any expense relating to their mistake you can recover that. Having the water company come out and turn the water off, if you were charged for that, is a recoverable expense. Any damage to your property can be recovered. No water overnight is too small of an inconvenience to be recoverable. You discovered the problem and handled it before any serious damage. That's actually a pretty good outcome.
bry911
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If someone is negligent they have a duty to restore you to the financial position that you would be in if there was no negligence. If you had to spend a night at a hotel then you would reasonably be owed that. You can't claim windfall damages... Basically, you can't end up in a better situation after an incident.

---

I would discuss a discount maybe for the inconvenience, but that is about it.
Muaxx
3 years ago
@kudzu9: I think you are right. Sometimes, even if it is not fair and one takes away some damage (not just material damage....nerves, time...etc) but its so often the case that it makes no sense to loose more lifetime for a small amount of money...had this issue so many times didn't do anything because of loosing my time

Major water leak after plumbers replaced main line?!

cat_ky

Comments (10)

curlygirlie1189
Original Author

BT

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millworkman

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Major water leak after plumbers replaced main line?!

cat_ky

Comments (10)

curlygirlie1189Original Author

BT

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curlygirlie1189Original Author

millworkman

kudzu9

dan1888

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Muaxx

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curlygirlie1189
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curlygirlie1189
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