New driveway, mains water stop cock...

[SoupDragon]

Am I right in thinking that the paving company shouldn't have paved over the water stopcock that was on my driveway?

I still have the stopcock inside the house, but I was under the impression that the outside one was also kind of important.

Especially when you want to change the stop cock in the house! Are you sure they haven't put a tray in that carries pavers on top?

yes, they are idiots.

they probably thought that the trouble and expense of fitting an iron trap would not be worthwhile to them.

However it would be very worthwhile to you.

I suppose it wasn't mentioned in the quote?

If you ever have a burst or leaking pipe, or if your indoor stopcock ever needs to be replaced, it may be very inconvenient.

Have you got a water meter?

That was my thought but I am aware that I am a lone female and they might try to pass it off as fine. I need back up!

I don't think there is a tray but it's raining a lot so I've not been out and studied the rough area close up.

I don't have a water meter, no.

It used to have neat metal lid ( I've never had to use it so don't know what was there)

The quote only mentions "block paving manhole covers" which I am not having and thus is not ticked. They left the original manhole cover visible though :)

I knew it was going too well.

I assumed they would pave round it.

I think you are entitled to complain that you previously had a metal access trap and they have either paved over or removed it.

Have you paid?

No, its payment on completion and they've not finished yet so are back tomorrow.

It can't be usual to just pave over the stopcock.

Gah! I hate confrontation!

Thanks for confirming I'm not wrong in thinking it shouldn't be paved over.

If they've not finished it's easier to get it rectified.

Apart from the fact that it wasn't under the cover they removed when they dug up the driveway, it was just full of earth

Previous owner was a builder and he did the drive himself. Some of his other work on the house is, um, interesting so who knows.

sometimes the access under a cover fills up with mud and wormcasts over the years. I dug mine out with a trowel.

Yeah, I'm not sure I believe it either but they did dig a fair way down all over in order to lay the drive and fit the pavement side edge plus drain strip. As a lone (and totally lacking in self confidence! :o) female I'm kind of stuffed though.

That said that if I ever had a problem because of it to call them and they would sort it out so who knows... [shrug] it's done now though.

Thanks for all the help though :)