Mains water pipe leaking and I can't turn off stock cock--help!

[sonaldo]

If it was my property I'd remove those 6 smaller pavers from the footpath and dig down to the existing pipework, if it's at the correct depth then I'd run my new mdpe pipework in and leave enough spare to reach the meter.

If it isn't then I'd contact Thames water and tell them there original install isn't at the correct depth and ask if they are happy for the new pipe to be laid at whatever depth it is.

Get the new pipework ran to wherever you want your new internal stopcock and tell Thames water your ready to go, also tell them their external valve doesn't switch off completely and ask them to replace it at the same time.

They'll then likely tell you that as you haven't used an approved plumber if there is an issue preventing them completing their works when they arrive you'll be billed for the callout, provided you've used the correct pipe at the correct depth and your new internal stopcock is ready to go there shouldn't be an issue and the tw guy will just connect the mdpe up, they may refit the paving for you or not.

Just make sure you cover the hole and clearly indicate part of the pavement has been lifted and your unlikely to have any issues from the council unless your neighbours really don't like you and make a fuss, it should only be open 2 days if you can get a date from tw for their part

the mains pipe inside my house can't be more than 300mm deep so i doubt it's at the right depth from my front door to OSV

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

i guess i could employ a moling company to do the bit from my door to the OSV?

How far, from your front wall, to the valve?

 

[sonaldo]

How far, from your front wall, to the valve?

about half a metre:

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

about half a metre:

That doesn't need a mole. The hole needed to make the connection, would be a similar size, to the hole needed for the mole..

 

[cdbe]

If you're doing LRP you just take the pipe to the boundary with a bit extra coiled up - they dig down outside, find it and do the rest. Doesn't matter about the depth of the lead /chamber outside as they'll have a digger and lay the new stuff at the correct depth - just make sure you're 750mm down. We (I) would worry about digging up the pavement etc - for them it's just another boring day at the office. When they did mine at my own house the main, a big 6" job as I live on the main road, was cast iron that had been lined with mdpe - the bloke jumped in the trench with a Stihl saw, scored a square in the cast iron and smashed it out with a lump hammer to expose the plastic.

 

[JohnD]

about half a metre:

As Hancock said, an armful.

 

[JohnD]

I don't think the pipe inside your house has to be so deep. Mine lay on the concrete raft. I slid some armaflex insulation over it.

 

[cdbe]

Yes, either buried 750mm or insulated and sleeved to resist freezing/vermin. You can rise up as soon as through the wall.

 

[sonaldo]

Thanks all. The lead mains water pipe exits my house at around 200mm below floor level

Therefore the OSV can’t be 750mm below ground level (unless it suddenly takes a really steep drop to join the OSV which I don’t think is plausible)