Austin, TX · Member since 2017 · 11 posts · 2 votes
Searching didnt turn up much -
I have a 4-plex in '04 - tried to cut the water at the street for some upgrades and the top of the shutoff vale snapped off. See it in red in picture. The bldg was built in '72 so its likely almost 50 years old.
Am I responsible for these repairs? (The shutoff valve is on street side)
How long does this take to get fixed from the city? What if i hire a plumber?
Whats the cheapest way to get this remedied? Fastest?
If I call the city - how do I phrase this in the best way possible for myself?
Whats your experience with anything similar to this? Any tips?
Real Estate Broker · Lehi, UT · Member since 2016 · 397 posts · 318 votes
7y
One of my rentals had a shutoff valve that was leaking and I had to replace. I initially called the city, and I learned that I had two shutoff valves, one was the cities and the other was mine. Unfortunately, it was mine and it was really deep. Most of the bids were high because no one wanted to dig it up. My initial bids were about $800-1000. Luckily, my husband was once a manual laborer and just decided to dig the hole himself. He did it in a few hours and then a plumber was happy to come out and fix it that same day. I still paid $300 to have them fix it. If it is on the city's side, I believe they would fix it (I would leave out the part where you were the one that damaged it). I would start by calling the city, explaining your problem, and see if they will send someone out to look at it.
Rental Property Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2016 · 7 posts · 5 votes
7y
I actually just recently had a similar issue with my duplex in 04. I was trying to shut off water and couldn’t get it all the way off. I called the city water dept and they sent someone out the same day.
It ended up being a bad/old washer on the valve and they said that is their responsibility. He also said that only the city is “supposed” to use that shutoff, that the homeowner should have their own shutoff because if you break the valve, you have to pay. So long story short, a plumber may do it, but the “appropriate” thing is to call the water dept and they will probably charge you.
Rental Property Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2016 · 317 posts · 257 votes
7y
i had same issue at my duplex in 45. Called Austin water for an emergency cuttoff and they fixed it the next day after turning off the water the same day.
Rental Property Investor · Leander, TX · Member since 2018 · 22 posts · 11 votes
7y
Your plumber probably couldn't fix it even if you wanted him/her to anyway. If the city shutoff is broken the city will probably have to turn the water off to several of the adjacent properties too. The meter and everything on the street-side of it is city property as Matthew said.
When you do call, just say it's broken. They may make you pay, but just don't offer the extra information.
I've seen a more severe break when a loaded concrete truck rolled over the top of the water meter box. There is nothing you can do but call the city utility department to fix it. Lesson learned.
Real Estate Broker · Watertown, NY · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
@Bill McCasky I've run into this issue before. I just call the city and they send a plumber down to fix it. In my city, I'm not allowed to touch anything before the meter.