Contractor's work on new water pipes leaves homeowner with a ruined garden and a hefty bill of £3,500 - Crane company under scrutiny

Contractor's work on new water pipes leaves homeowner with a ruined garden and a hefty bill of £3,500 - Crane company under scrutiny

In a relief for N.M, a long-standing water pressure problem in his home has been resolved, following the replacement of a faulty water meter. Despite the replacement of most of the water supply system, it was the water meter that was causing the issues all along.

To identify if a water meter is causing low water pressure, homeowners can follow a few simple steps:

1. Inspect the main shutoff valve near the water meter to ensure it is fully open. A partially closed valve can restrict the flow entering the home, reducing pressure.
2. Compare water pressure before and after the meter, if possible. Measure pressure at various points inside the house and check the pressure right at the meter or just before the meter to see if a significant drop occurs across the meter.
3. Look for any visible damage or clogging on the water meter or its associated pipes. Sediment or debris buildup inside the meter or a faulty meter can obstruct flow.
4. Turn off all water fixtures, then open a single tap while observing the meter’s behavior. If the meter spins slowly or irregularly despite a restricted flow, it might indicate an internal meter issue.
5. Check if pressure problems affect the entire house or just localized areas. Widespread low pressure suggests an issue with the water supply system, while only one fixture’s low pressure might be unrelated to the meter.
6. If you suspect the meter, contact your water utility company. They can test the meter’s functionality and flow capacity to confirm if it is causing pressure restrictions.

In N.M's case, a second United Utilities engineer visited in April and suggested the water meter needed replacing, which was done free of charge and instantly fixed the water pressure problem. However, the water pressure in the house remained low even after the works, leading to a total expenditure of £3,559 for unnecessary water-related works.

United Utilities has now agreed to reimburse N.M £3,559 for these unnecessary works and provide an additional compensation payment of £750. It is worth noting that according to Ofwat, the supply pipework is the homeowner's responsibility.

Checking the water meter for potential blockages could save homeowners from unnecessary expenses and inconvenience. N.M's experience serves as a reminder to always investigate the water meter as a potential cause of water pressure issues before resorting to costly pipework replacements.

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