Friday, April 1, 2011

Help for homeowners?

From the NY Post:

The government is looking to plug homeowners' biggest leaks.

The Department of Environmental Protection wants to know if plumbing companies would be willing to repair private water lines connected to city mains in exchange for low monthly insurance payments.

Last year, 3,508 unfortunate homeowners learned the hard way that they are responsible for fixing pipes hooked up to the city's system, even if the leak occurs in the middle of the street.

Those repairs now average a distressing $4,000 -- a big hit to most families' budgets.

But under an insurance system, which is currently in use in other cities, people would pay the plumbing company about $5 to $10 a month, and there would be no additional cost for a water-pipe fix.

The program would be completely voluntary. Right now, the city has only issued an RFEI -- request for expressions of interest -- to see if companies like the idea.

"Eighty percent of the leak calls we get, the homeowner ends up being responsible," noted DEP spokesman Farrell Sklerov.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

'Those repairs now average a distressing $4,000 -- a big hit to most families' budgets."

They can cost a LOT more...

Last summer I had to lend a friend in Sunnyside $7G because his water conked out. The branch for his two fam had poor pressure since he bought it ten years ago, and finally just stopped.

The street had to be dug up and new pipe to his house laid. Sediment had reduced his main to about 1/2 in. I saw it, disgusting to think that drinking water had gone through that gunk.

Three or four months later, his sewer line clogged...tree roots. I lent him $3G toward that.

Every few months it's a new disaster with that old house, he no sooner pays me back than something else happens.

I'll stick with co-op apt living.

Anonymous said...

"Eighty percent of the leak calls we get, the homeowner ends up being responsible," noted DEP spokesman Farrell Sklerov.
-------------------------

"Eighty percent of the leak calls we get, we find a way to point a finger and make it look like the homeowner is responsible"

There. fixed it.

Anonymous said...

Anon #1 - I hope the guy who buys the house that's currently for sale for over $1 million sees your comment.