DIYbanter - View Single Post - Can the repairs to the City Water Main Cause Burst Pipes through Water Hammer

Speedy Jim

wrote:
I currently have a small claims suit against the Water Company. Last
summer the water company was working on my street fixing leaks on the
water main. The water co claim they never interrupted service - I am
usually at work, so I can no say then did or did not. Less then 48
hours after the city's repair the water main leading from the meter to
my house burst causing us to have to dig up our drive way to get to the
pipe.

SNIP

Oh, most assuredly it can happen. And they know it.
But why admit it to you?

If service (flow) is suddenly restored in a Main,
there is not only the static pressure to contend with,
but the inertial velocity of the huge slug of
(incompressible) water hurtling down the Main.

I've seen other residential service failures like yours
(one involving a service 500 ft long which the city
convinced the owner to pay for excavating and replacing!).
after restoring service too rapidly to a dry Main.

(No, you can't call me as a witness:-)