Water won't turn on in REO

[Bienes Raices]

Bank's realtor says the water is on, and I called the water co. and it is indeed on. However when you turn the water main on the side of the house, nothing happens--still no water in house. I'm having my paid inspection done on Monday. Looked around for another water cutoff on the ground around the house but didn't see one. Should I be concerned with this, or just go ahead with inspection as planned?

[J Scott]

Agreed with Steve...

I'm no expert, but here's what I would try if it were my property:

1. First, verify that the water is on at the street.

2. Once the water is verified on at the street, see if the meter is spinning. This will tell you if water is running through the meter and to the house.

3. If the meter is spinning, but isn't working in the house, there's likely a leak in the supply line. If this is the case, walk a straight line from the meter to the house, and you may notice water seeping up through the ground; if so, there's the leak. Then again, if the line runs under a driveway or some other hard-to-reach place, you may not be able to find the leak.

4. The meter is not spinning, find where the line enters the house. There should be a shutoff valve either where the line enters a crawlspace or into the house. Make sure that shutoff is in the open position.

5. Once you verify the main shutoff is open, find the closest termination of a supply line (could be an exterior tap, water heater, sink etc). Make sure there is no additional shutoff between the main and the fixture (if so, open it) and then try turning on the water.

If the water still isn't working, you probably want to have the county come out to verify the meter at the street isn't malfunctioning.