08/084 Supply Pipe Policy - Sembcorp Bournemouth Water
08/084 Supply Pipe Policy - Sembcorp Bournemouth Water
08/084 Supply Pipe Policy - Sembcorp Bournemouth Water
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4<br />
Q5. Will my insurance cover it?<br />
You should contact your insurance company. Some policies cover this but most<br />
cover only accidental damage, not wear and tear. AquaCare provides<br />
insurance for this type of work. If you live in rented property, the landlord is<br />
usually responsible for this work.<br />
Q6. How has this leak happened?<br />
Most leaks occur because the supply pipe is badly corroded, a fitting has failed<br />
or the plastic pipe has aged. It is often cheaper to replace a supply pipe than<br />
find and repair a leak or leaks. A recent meter installation can also highlight an<br />
existing leak that you did not know about.<br />
Q7. Is the leak damaging my property?<br />
We can’t say for sure because we do not know exactly where the leak is. We<br />
strongly advise you to act promptly in case it is damaging the foundations of<br />
your property or those of a neighbour.<br />
Q8. Do I have to get the leak repaired?<br />
Yes, you have a legal obligation to repair any leaks on your pipe work, but we<br />
do allow you time to get quotes if required. If you have a meter and don’t repair<br />
it within 28 days of confirmation of the leak, you will lose any allowance we<br />
could give you for the lost water. We have legal duties to promote the efficient<br />
use of water and to act where we find it is being wasted. Therefore we have to<br />
ask you to act reasonably quickly if you have a leak. We may serve you with a<br />
legal notice, requiring you to stop the leak at your expense in case of<br />
unreasonable delay in fixing the leak.<br />
Q9. How do you calculate my allowance for the cost of lost water?<br />
After the leak has been repaired we take two meter readings about a week<br />
apart and see how much water you use each day. We can then calculate what<br />
your meter reading should have been and will refund the cost of the wasted<br />
water. We will send you a letter explaining the calculations.<br />
Q10. Do you have any special equipment to detect a leak?<br />
We do have equipment to assist in finding a leak, but there is a significant<br />
possibility that we will not be able to pinpoint its location accurately enough<br />
to justify excavating the ground. If it is a small leak and there is no water<br />
showing at the surface, we will probably advise you to replace the whole<br />
pipe. We could spend longer trying to find a leak but you would have to pay<br />
for this.<br />
Q11. Who can I get to repair the leak or replace the pipe?<br />
We recommend our plumbing division, AquaCare, or you can employ the<br />
contractor of your choice. We always suggest you ask for at least two other<br />
quotes. If you select AquaCare, you are entitled to a free repair provided that<br />
the leak can be pinpointed. Alternatively if it cannot be pinpointed, you can<br />
receive £235 (including VAT) towards the cost of replacing the pipe. If you<br />
use another contractor, this subsidy does not apply.
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