Sun Feb 26, 2023, 12:53 AM

brush (49,946 posts)

Attn homeowners and home buyers. Find out asap the age of the main water line...

as if it ruptures you are responsible for fixing it as homeowner's insurance doesn't cover it and the local water company's responsibility stops at the curb.

About 3 weeks ago I got a letter, on paper with red ink, that there was a continuous flow issue at my house. My bill went from around $50 a month to some $300 a month. The letter suggested it could be as little as a running toilet or a leaking faucet inside or outside not completely turned off.

That got my attention and I immediately checked every toilet and faucet inside and out. The only thing was one toilet tank had a leak on the bottom (a washer needed to be replaced) where I had put a pail until I could get my home warranty people to fix it. I. thought that was the leak so I turned off the water to that toilet and called the water company to see it that was the problem.

It wasn't, there was still continuous flow as I spoke to the water co. employee ...multiple gallons a day.

I had to hire a leak detection company and they found that the main water line had indeed ruptured and it was going to cost thousands to fix. I had to bite the bullet and get it done. The leader of the group gave me a bit of info on water main lines. They usually last about 20 years at best and my house is 18 years old. I was responsible.

THE ADVICE HE GAVE ME was it's best to get the main water line insurance when buying a house as it could save you multiple thousands of dollars if it breaks. We're talking up to 10k. It's mentioned in the reams of paper you have to check off and sign when buying but no one, not even your own RE agent mentions/stresses it.

It's a concern for tenant too if the landlord doesn't pay the water bill.

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53 replies	Author	Time	Post
Attn homeowners and home buyers. Find out asap the age of the main water line... (Original post)	brush	Feb 2023	OP
I was understanding water company responsibility	Deuxcents	Feb 2023	#1
I mentioned in the OP that the water company's responsifility...	brush	Feb 2023	#3
After the water meter is is the responsibility of the homeowner.	DURHAM D	Feb 2023	#4
That's how I understand it	Deuxcents	Feb 2023	#8
No, after the utility's shut-off valve it's the responsibility of the homeowner.	JustABozoOnThisBus	Feb 2023	#33
Have never seen a meter inside a house.	DURHAM D	Feb 2023	#41
The first house my wife and I owned had the shutoff valve and water meter in the basement.	hunter	Feb 2023	#44
Until a few decades ago, they went into the basement with flashlight and clipboard.	JustABozoOnThisBus	Feb 2023	#53
their responsibility ends	Conjuay	Feb 2023	#34
Interesting. Every time I got one of those notifications, I had just been tossing them. I will	LoisB	Feb 2023	#2
Low-Flow Toilets, Shower Heads & Garbage Disposals are main cause of Sewer Line Blockages & Failures	TheBlackAdder	Feb 2023	#37
Thank you. I have bookmarked so I can follow your advice, some of which I already do.	LoisB	Feb 2023	#46
I knew this, but	NJCher	Feb 2023	#5
NJ American water did a half-assed job but nevertheless, got it under control.	3Hotdogs	Feb 2023	#10
NJ American Water offers it, but there are so many exclusions that most can not make a claim.	TheBlackAdder	Feb 2023	#36
I have indepent insurance	GP6971	Feb 2023	#6
multiple gallons a day jumped your water bill from 50 to 300?	Kali	Feb 2023	#7
It's not a small job. Trust me. When the bill goes up that much, you pay at attention Took a crew...	brush	Feb 2023	#11
They have you by the short hairs sound here.	Hassin Bin Sober	Feb 2023	#24
There is water in. And there is water and other stuff out. You need to worry about both.	3Hotdogs	Feb 2023	#9
The "main" is in the street and is the responsibility of the water company. You're talking about	mobeau69	Feb 2023	#12
It is something to worry about when the bill goes from...	brush	Feb 2023	#14
If the house isn't on a slab there's no sense in hiring a leak detecting service.	mobeau69	Feb 2023	#16
If there's no visidble evidence of a leak what do you suggest?	brush	Feb 2023	#18
If you don't have a slab (which could hide a leak) and you can't see one anywhere in the house,	mobeau69	Feb 2023	#22
No visible leak. No basement. Shut off at curb...	brush	Feb 2023	#25
You're not getting something. Maybe it's the terminology I used.	brush	Feb 2023	#17
The water main is the infrastructure in the public road.	meadowlander	Feb 2023	#19
Ok, it's the terminology. The point of the OP was to alert...	brush	Feb 2023	#20
Yep, it was very confusing. I thought you were talking about the main line in the street.	Liberal In Texas	Feb 2023	#42
If you read the other responses you'll find you're about the only one who...	brush	Feb 2023	#43
I feel like I get this letter	edisdead	Feb 2023	#13
If your water bill goes up dramatically, pay attention.	brush	Feb 2023	#15
In warmer climes	Old Crank	Feb 2023	#21
Remember, life is a bitch and then you die.	mobeau69	Feb 2023	#23
Water line	Levaughn	Feb 2023	#26
A good investment I would say.	brush	Feb 2023	#27
I was skeptical at first	Levaughn	Feb 2023	#29
It happened to me and it was close to 10,000 dollars. Tree roots had grown through the	vsrazdem	Feb 2023	#28
Ten grand to replace a water service? Holy Moly.	Chainfire	Feb 2023	#47
Yep, they had do dig and trench the yard from the house to the main and replace the pipe.	vsrazdem	Feb 2023	#48
Present the repair bill to your water company and ask them to forgive the increase.	Lochloosa	Feb 2023	#30
Thanks. That's what the plumbers advised me to do.	brush	Feb 2023	#32
Thank you for this reminder. I just purchased main line and sewer coverage based on this.	MerryHolidays	Feb 2023	#31
Where I live we are being totally hosed!	GreenWave	Feb 2023	#35
I'm thinking this insurance thing is regional	MissB	Feb 2023	#38
Yikes. I am so glad I own a co-op apartment. All those type costs are shared among 80 owners.	Scrivener7	Feb 2023	#39
Same with the sewer line.	Captain Zero	Feb 2023	#40
We had a break in the main water line in front of our house. My town DPW fixed it.	Raftergirl	Feb 2023	#45
Replacing your line for a relatively small amount was wise.	brush	Feb 2023	#51
I got ins for this last year	Meowmee	Feb 2023	#49
Good to make sure they're a reputable company...	brush	Feb 2023	#50
Yep	Meowmee	Feb 2023	#52

Response to brush (Original post)

Sun Feb 26, 2023, 01:06 AM

Deuxcents (12,978 posts)

1. I was understanding water company responsibility

Is for sure a water main leak ..
should be their responsibility, not yours. I’d get a better explanation for this. Good luck

Attn homeowners and home buyers. Find out asap the age of the main water line...

1. I was understanding water company responsibility

3. I mentioned in the OP that the water company's responsifility...

4. After the water meter is is the responsibility of the homeowner.

8. That's how I understand it

33. No, after the utility's shut-off valve it's the responsibility of the homeowner.

41. Have never seen a meter inside a house.

44. The first house my wife and I owned had the shutoff valve and water meter in the basement.

53. Until a few decades ago, they went into the basement with flashlight and clipboard.

34. their responsibility ends

2. Interesting. Every time I got one of those notifications, I had just been tossing them. I will

37. Low-Flow Toilets, Shower Heads & Garbage Disposals are main cause of Sewer Line Blockages & Failures

46. Thank you. I have bookmarked so I can follow your advice, some of which I already do.

5. I knew this, but

10. NJ American water did a half-assed job but nevertheless, got it under control.

36. NJ American Water offers it, but there are so many exclusions that most can not make a claim.

6. I have indepent insurance

7. multiple gallons a day jumped your water bill from 50 to 300?

11. It's not a small job. Trust me. When the bill goes up that much, you pay at attention Took a crew...

24. They have you by the short hairs sound here.

9. There is water in. And there is water and other stuff out. You need to worry about both.

12. The "main" is in the street and is the responsibility of the water company. You're talking about

14. It is something to worry about when the bill goes from...

16. If the house isn't on a slab there's no sense in hiring a leak detecting service.

18. If there's no visidble evidence of a leak what do you suggest?

22. If you don't have a slab (which could hide a leak) and you can't see one anywhere in the house,

25. No visible leak. No basement. Shut off at curb...

17. You're not getting something. Maybe it's the terminology I used.

19. The water main is the infrastructure in the public road.

20. Ok, it's the terminology. The point of the OP was to alert...

42. Yep, it was very confusing. I thought you were talking about the main line in the street.

43. If you read the other responses you'll find you're about the only one who...

13. I feel like I get this letter

15. If your water bill goes up dramatically, pay attention.

21. In warmer climes

23. Remember, life is a bitch and then you die.

26. Water line

27. A good investment I would say.

29. I was skeptical at first

28. It happened to me and it was close to 10,000 dollars. Tree roots had grown through the

47. Ten grand to replace a water service? Holy Moly.

48. Yep, they had do dig and trench the yard from the house to the main and replace the pipe.

30. Present the repair bill to your water company and ask them to forgive the increase.

32. Thanks. That's what the plumbers advised me to do.

31. Thank you for this reminder. I just purchased main line and sewer coverage based on this.

35. Where I live we are being totally hosed!

38. I'm thinking this insurance thing is regional

39. Yikes. I am so glad I own a co-op apartment. All those type costs are shared among 80 owners.

40. Same with the sewer line.

45. We had a break in the main water line in front of our house. My town DPW fixed it.

51. Replacing your line for a relatively small amount was wise.

49. I got ins for this last year

50. Good to make sure they're a reputable company...

52. Yep