I want to advise fellow investors to a "due Diligence" problem. Do not think that this is too tedious to consider as the repair costs can be $10,000 - $40,000 to bring into code compliance.

MY Opinion: make sure to get your homeowner insurance or other insurance evaluated and purchase increased ordinances and laws coverage. Many policies only allow for $5,000 ord and laws (code upgrade) you need 25% or more. Not all insurance companies sell this coverage so you need to shop.

Subject: sfr with foundation problems
A foundation repair company was digging their holes for the piers. A worker was digging with a shovel and severed a plastic water supply line. (yard service line)

Fact: the flexible water line "pex" polybutylene, polyethylene, pvc and other types have been involved in class action lawsuits for millions of $$$$. ASPM approval does not mean it is certified .

The materials are not approved for potable water. Your house can be deemed uninhabitable without a supply of potable water. This a a code compliance issue. Your state may have adopted one or more of the approved national plumbing codes (IRC, UPC,). If so, you may want to read up on this.

Your local plumbing official may allow you to repair this type of installation. Do so at your own peril. There is a case before the Texas Plumbing Review Board regarding this right now.

Back to story. Water line is damaged and must be repaired. Plumbing inspector says repair pex line with "sharkbite" connectors. (can be bought at home depot or plumbing supply). These connectors are not approved for underground use of any type. Potable water fittings must be NSF 61.

Caveat: the chinese manufacturers are labeling many fittings with NSF 61 certification. NSF is now investigating these counterfit and unlawful use of trademarks.

A temporary repair was made using these fittings. Problem one: addition of these fittings further restricts flow rate of water. Inside bore is less than inner pipe diameter. Consequence: turn on water faucet and two other faucets or flush toilet and water pressure drops to trickle. If at any time your water pressure drops below 20 psi you have violated the code. There are many codes involved: EPA, Health code, water code, plumbing code and whicever department is over water treatment equipt.

Further complication: the portion of the water supply line was supply for the whole house water softener.
The water treatment specialist was called to make the temporary repair. This is another ambiguous exception to the plumbing code.

There is much more involved when a plumber then pulls the permit for permanent repair. No one can work on the plumbing at this time except that Responsible master plumber.

Make sure when you have the property inspected that a customer service inspection is done. If they do not flag the problem their errors and omissions insurance may be asked to pay too.
A property inspector may not have the csi license.

There are many requirements for the potable water system that begins at your water meter or well. Disinfection of the water system every time the system is repaired. Regulation of too high or too low water pressure. Maximum containment levels of biological and chemical contamination.


Many cities are installing undersized water meters because their water systems are undersized. For example: Your house is rated at a fixture count and this determines a demand or flow rate.
You must purchase the correct size tap or meter for your needed flow rate.
They can also use a fitting at the meter to join the supply line to the meter that is reduced in inner diameter. Also not allowed.

This can add lots of litigation opportunities for buyers, sellers and anyone else attached to the water supply. Failure on your part can and does contaminate the public water supply. Think about backflow and backpressure.

Many cities have paid millions of dollars to homeowners for their neglect and the same goes for homeowners.

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