Copper Mains Piping Under Driveway

[Fish30]

I'm actually writing on behalf of a relative that I'm looking out for to check that they aren't being ripped off by their builders. The other day they had a leak in their house because the copper pipe was broken by a digger under the driveway and all the water came out of their stop clock (If I remember rightly?). The builders excuse was "The pips aren't supposed to be copper under the driveway, they should be plastic. We will get them replaced as soon as possible.". So I recently spoken to a mate of mine, who actually works with gas I believe but knows a lot about plumbing. He said that copper or plastic doesn't make any difference and either are as 'respected' if you like.

What is worrying me is that their builders are creating work for this plumber by lying or simply covering their back in the case of their expensive equipment being damaged during the leak. Either of these reasons are unacceptable, seeing as I have never had full faith in this guy from the amount of trust they seem to be putting into him.

I would appreciate it if somebody here that is a highly trained plumber can tell me quite what is going on here.

Thankyou very much

 

[SimonJohns]

They shouldn't of put a digger through it.

It's their fault.

Water pipes have been made of many materials. Lead. Copper. Plastic.

 

[Fish30]

Its not really whose fault it is that bothers me. Mistakes happen in big building projects.

So what you are saying is, plastic, copper, lead under a driveway: it doesn't matter. Also that it isnt a valid 'excuse' nor worth spending money on.

I really appreciate your help, thankyou

 

[anz]

I don't think the material is an issue. As said all kinds of materials have been used in the past.

Today water companies use blue MDPE.

They should be held responsible, as they should have checked for this before digging.

Unless, it was not buried to the correct depth.

 

[SimonJohns]

I would certainly recommend that if you have a digger on site to renew the mains. It will ensure a long life and will reduce the chance of a leak through corrosion.

Ask them to use at least a 25mm. Mdpe and you will want a single peice of pipe from boundary box to stop tap in house. Reduces any chance of a leak from a fitting

 

[Fish30]

Just saw the message above,

Thankyou very much for you help everybody 🙂

 

[secret squirrel]

I agree replace with MDPE, they've got to dig it up to repair it anyway.

Of course its there fault, there the muppets with the digger that went through it. For me though common sense applies.

''sorry mate, things happen when we're doing work like this, we'll repair the damage"

 

[REDSAW]

all depends how deep it was and who installed and is it to code? but either way they are repairing it so whats the score?.

 

[Joncpi]

There is nothing wrong with having a copper pipe in the ground. But it is possible it can be more liable to corrosion. Ask your neighbours if they have had any problems with burst water services. I am only saying this as your builders are only liable for the repair. So if the pipe has been laid shallow i.e. not to between 750mm and 1350mm deep or is a small diameter copper pipe, or your neighbours have had problems with corrosion underground, you may well be advised to renew the whole pipe now and pay the builders a bit extra to do this. The cost of 20m of 25mm pipe is much less than the cost of two plastic to copper fittings! They just need to whip out a trench and make a new entry into the house. Also 25mm pipe maybe better if you are considering a combi boiler anytime in the future. Also while the trench is open have you thought about external lighting in the front garden? It would be simple to throw a cable in the ground at the same time!