[hiddenwatermain]

Recently a water main broke. Water entered my home & my neighbor's home, and mold developed. And the water main runs underneath the north end of my house... I am looking at approx $25,000 in foundation repairs. Did research & city never obtained easement, so builder wouldn't have known he built my house on top of a water main 60 yrs ago. City is talking about leaving the 10 inch water main underneath my home but permanently shutting off the water supply to it. A contractor believes that as long the water main pipe is under my house it will continually cause foundation problems. Other restoration expenses too. I will be battling the city to get them to cover repairs. My insurance definitely doesn't want to cover it. Have you ever heard of a house being built on top of a water main? Possible problems with leaving or removing the 10 inch pipe from underneath a concrete slab? Any other issues I need to be considering as we do repairs and fight against the city and/or insurance company?

[joypulv]

This is a classic need for a lawyer. I'd sue both your insurance co and the city.

[hkstroud]

I wouldn't be concerned about the pipe being there. It's been there for 60 years with out a problem until it broke. I would be concerned about the damage to the soil by the break however.

Agree with joypulv that you definitely need a lawyer. Your ace in the hole will be, that chances are if the pipe runs under your house, the city will want an easement somewhere else through your property to reroute it.

Just as an aside. Not a lawyer, but had need to research adverse possession in the past, regarding a sewer line. Any claims of adverse possession by the city will not stand up because an underground pipe is not "open", as out in the open where it can be seen.