Water Leak, probably under my house

[DHayden]

I was a tad suprised when I received a $600 water bill in the mail today. I made sure everything in the house was off including outside facets. I checked the meter outside and the diamond was spinning away.



I figured I could isolate from front yard to the garage by turning the water off inside but it seems the only valve I can find is at the water heater which is for hot water only, I turned that off and the diamond is still spinning, I dont see any other valve for the cold water.



I am assuming the leak is under my house because the ground is not saturated anywhere around my property. Anyone have any idea's or know if this would be covered under homeowners insurance? Any help would be great, I'm leaving tomorrow and wont be back until wed, I really dont want to have my wife have to turn the water on and off in thee front yard but I dont want my house sinking either.

 

[AClayton]

Should have a meter cover in front yard or sidewalk to turn off water... you will need a special key. I have used a crescent wrench if the water line isn't too deep. If you can't locate a water cover,try tracing the cold inlet from water heater back until you find a valve or passes through a partition or something. You should have a valve to turn off water to house in an emergency. It sounds like you're going to have to crawl under house and find a pool of water.

 

[DHayden]

I know where the main shut off is in the front yard, thats where the meter and diamond are spinning. I wanted to isolate between there and the house where it comes into the garage but only see the hot water shut off at the water heater.

Unfortunately there is no way to crawl under my house, I live in NM so I have a mud hut (stucco) so I have to dig up the floor, thats why I was wondering if insurance covers it.

 

[PToombs]

It might be leaking under the front lawn too. Should call the Water Authority or whatever they call it out there and inform them you have a leak. They might help or adjust the bill. If you're lucky.

 

[catoiler]

They will pay for anything in the house it takes to get to the leak but not for the repair of the leak itself. most likely it is under the slab if you cannot find any water in the yards.

 

[rbattelle]

Wow, this sucks. I had water flow in my house a few years ago from a broken under sink fitting and the total water bill came to around $130. As I recall, insurance covered it.

If a water line ruptures I'd expect either your homeowners insurance to cover the bill, or the water company to waive the charge.

Ryan

 

[catoiler]

Ryan, those kind of things are covered but anything under a slab only what it takes to get to it but not the leak,go figure!

 

[p-Bar]

there should be a valve at the water spiget coming into the house which will isolate the house. Then put a water pressure gauge on one of the other spigets and see if it decreases. At least in mexifornia we are responsible for anything house side of the water meter