Department71 Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 We are in the process of updating the kitchen and the water pipe comes into the kitchen through the floor, there is a lead pipe with a stopcock and attached to it is the water meter. We wish to move the pipe coming into the house and put the meter in a position that you don't have to do a limbo dance, with a torch and glasses to read the dam thing. ( we don't want the outside dug up so its a matter of repositioning the thing). The pipe is buried under the kitchen floor and it won't be difficult to dig this out as it's only a short length by the wall to move, I can dig it out no problem but it's the "sweating" (think thats what it's called) of the lead to copper pipe I want done.Who's responsible for the work, is it the water board or a plumber?Thanks in advance.Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 steve, not a 100% sure, but i doubt very much if you would be allowed to move the water meter yourself, it will belong to the water company . (you would definately not be allowed to in uk).you can buy a fitting to go from lead to whatever pipe you are connecting to. no need try soldering straight to copper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikew Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 If the lead pipe is on the company side of the meter you should contact the water co. Lead piping is being replaced as it is hazardous to health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluestick Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 Had mine replaced in September, due to a leak, on the supply side of the meter.All new now, from the road into the house, no cost to me.A French friend is looking forward to the water syndicate replacing his, as Mikew states, all the old lead has to be changed. Unfortunately for the water syndicate, they have to dig up (and renew) the tarmac courtyard, go across a tiled terrace (and renew), and then go yards to the road..................If you wish to simply move the meter, for convenience, not sure: they maybe able to charge.If it's old lead pipe I would probably suddenly sort of have a leak.........[6] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 In the event of a leak the rule is that pipework after the meter is your responsibility so I guess you can do what you like with that; pipework up to the meter from the mains, plus the meter itself, belongs to the water company. So if you want the meter moved you need to get them to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gyn_Paul Posted November 5, 2006 Share Posted November 5, 2006 [quote user="Gluestick"]Had mine replaced in September, due to a leak, on the supply side of the meter.All new now, from the road into the house, no cost to me.A French friend is looking forward to the water syndicate replacing his, as Mikew states, all the old lead has to be changed. Unfortunately for the water syndicate, they have to dig up (and renew) the tarmac courtyard, go across a tiled terrace (and renew), and then go yards to the road..................If you wish to simply move the meter, for convenience, not sure: they maybe able to charge.If it's old lead pipe I would probably suddenly sort of have a leak.........[6] [/quote]You just beat me to it, Gluestick. I was going to suggest :-Gentlly excavate the soil outside the house to.... Reveal the lead pipe.Insert and remove a 1" panel pin.Replace soil.Pick up phone.p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluestick Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 Probably only needs bending a bit, GP! If it is anything like mine was................When the guy dug it all out, he showed she whom must be obeyed. Apparently, there as only a tiny gap right in the middle! The rest was corrosion.What does now puzzle me, was that the house had to have an apparently tough lead survey, as part of the Acte de Vente. Whilst this was really picky, mentioning small areas of paint etc, there was absolutely no mention of the water mains.................................I had to change the whole mainwater riser in a flat in the UK a few years ago, as the surveyor for the mortgagee placed this on the retention list, as it was Early Edwardian lead.Strange....................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_2 Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 You are not allowed to move the meter for the water yourself but you can prepare the new hole for the box if it is going outside to save a few euros. We had ours moved 1.5m from inside the dairy door to the outside and it cost us over 300€ with a new meter included and we dug the hole too. Anything on your side of the meter is your responsibility and hence your problem if there is a leak through not turning off the stopcock by the meter if you leave the property empty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Department71 Posted November 6, 2006 Author Share Posted November 6, 2006 Thanks for all the replies, I wasn't sure due to things i have heard regarding who does what on services. In the UK the elec board will and can rewire a house etc but I understand in France they don't. Wasn't sure about the water though. Now where is that 1mm drill bit........ Thanks allStevePS I wasn't going to move it myself but wanted to know who to contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave&Olive Posted November 6, 2006 Share Posted November 6, 2006 hi ok it`s not your`s ... tell you a tale I have told before......our water meter is just outside the house but it is 20metres inside our boundry .long story short first bite with the mini digger when installing the fosse and yes straight through it , had to phone water board the stop cock was seized ,,still have not had a bill .............. hit it with a pick and phone em out dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val_2 Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 That happened to us in our barn when I put a pickaxe through it. Robbing b******s invoiced us heavily for the call out and repair and they used a second hand fitting which you can buy cheaper new from Catena. Whenthey put the new meter in, they took the fitting back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJSLIV Posted November 7, 2006 Share Posted November 7, 2006 Having worked for a utility in the UK, its amazing how quickly the men in the vans can spot try ons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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