Good morning, a slightly random question;
Is it possible for domestic water pressure to surge to the extent that it will cause a water pipe joint inside the house to sperate and cause a leak? The joint in question is a nut & olive type assembly that had been installed approximately 30 years ago and has previously shown no sign of leaking.
I am currently in dispute with a firm of solicitors who, as designated Trustees / Executors of an estate, have responsibility for safeguarding the assets. A pipe joint located in the loft of a house, which forms part of the estate, separated last December and caused flooding. The damage is estimated to be around £60,000.
My investigations have revealed that the leak occurred during a period when the temperature fell to -10C and was well below zero several days either side (Met Office supplied historical daily temperature records). The property was unheated at the time (admitted by solicitor). The property was not insured against escapes of water (admitted by solicitor). The solicitor is charging the estate for the cost of repairs.
The solicitors are claiming that the pipe did not freeze (actually used those words), but "excess pressure" forced the pipe joint apart. I won't go into detail why, but if they can have the excess pressure theory accepted, it gets them off the hook over a very serious allegation of lying / general dishonesty which is currently being investigated by the Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA). The SRA are making noises which sound to me like they might buy into the "excess pressure" theory.
My thoughts are that a likelihood of a surge in water supply pressure is so small, it can be considered impossible. My understanding is that mains water pressure is generated by three components, 1) Water Density, 2) Gravity and 3) the height of the reservoir / district water tank above the property in question. Nothing else can change that. They are the only factors in play.
1) Gravity has remained constant since the dawn of time.
2) Fresh / drinking water density is also a constant.
3) The difference in elevation / geography of the landscape between the property in question and the reservoir will not alter.
The above factors are why our ancient ancestors devised this system of water infrastructure. It provides a constant and stable method of water delivery to areas of civilization.
The options the SRA have to decide on are: Did the pipe joint separate during a period when the temperature was -10C and the property was unheated? Or did the gravity (which has been constant for millennia) suddenly quadruple? Has drinking water suddenly become four time more dense? Has the geography of the UK suddenly altered to an unrecognizable extent? It sounds pant wittingly stupid, but I think the SRA are buying into the gravity / density / geography shift theory!
Can someone please point out any holes (excuse the pun) in my theory?
Is it possible for domestic water pressure to surge to the extent that it will cause a water pipe joint inside the house to sperate and cause a leak? The joint in question is a nut & olive type assembly that had been installed approximately 30 years ago and has previously shown no sign of leaking.
I am currently in dispute with a firm of solicitors who, as designated Trustees / Executors of an estate, have responsibility for safeguarding the assets. A pipe joint located in the loft of a house, which forms part of the estate, separated last December and caused flooding. The damage is estimated to be around £60,000.
My investigations have revealed that the leak occurred during a period when the temperature fell to -10C and was well below zero several days either side (Met Office supplied historical daily temperature records). The property was unheated at the time (admitted by solicitor). The property was not insured against escapes of water (admitted by solicitor). The solicitor is charging the estate for the cost of repairs.
The solicitors are claiming that the pipe did not freeze (actually used those words), but "excess pressure" forced the pipe joint apart. I won't go into detail why, but if they can have the excess pressure theory accepted, it gets them off the hook over a very serious allegation of lying / general dishonesty which is currently being investigated by the Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA). The SRA are making noises which sound to me like they might buy into the "excess pressure" theory.
My thoughts are that a likelihood of a surge in water supply pressure is so small, it can be considered impossible. My understanding is that mains water pressure is generated by three components, 1) Water Density, 2) Gravity and 3) the height of the reservoir / district water tank above the property in question. Nothing else can change that. They are the only factors in play.
1) Gravity has remained constant since the dawn of time.
2) Fresh / drinking water density is also a constant.
3) The difference in elevation / geography of the landscape between the property in question and the reservoir will not alter.
The above factors are why our ancient ancestors devised this system of water infrastructure. It provides a constant and stable method of water delivery to areas of civilization.
The options the SRA have to decide on are: Did the pipe joint separate during a period when the temperature was -10C and the property was unheated? Or did the gravity (which has been constant for millennia) suddenly quadruple? Has drinking water suddenly become four time more dense? Has the geography of the UK suddenly altered to an unrecognizable extent? It sounds pant wittingly stupid, but I think the SRA are buying into the gravity / density / geography shift theory!
Can someone please point out any holes (excuse the pun) in my theory?
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