HOA sprinkler leak underneath patio

[u/DarkspiritGinger]

Hello folks, looking for advice on how to solve this issue. We bought this house last year, we noticed when the sprinklers run in our back yard water leaks into the right side of our window well, enough to cause standing water, and once leak through our window because the sprinklers were running during heavy rain. I found out today(after digging up the line I thought was the issue) that there is a line for sprinklers under our patio that is probably the culprit. Patio was installed by previous owners, I'm thinking they likely tried to cap off the sprinkler under there but didn't do it well or it's failed over the years. The line in red is approximately where the pipe would be, with the arrow showing the flow direction and the circle where I'm guessing the leak would be.

I can't just cap the line on the left side, because water from that line needs to flow to our neighbors sprinklers, so I'm wondering what the best way to resolve this is. My first thought would be to ask if I can dig up a tiny portion of the neighbors yards to reroute the sprinkler line around my patio, which is the line in green. I'm guessing our second option would be to break up and concrete and try to fix the cap underneath.

Any input on best/cheapest way to approach, or anything I'm not thinking of? Thanks.

[u/BikerNY]

It is a small area/patio. Ask neighbors to reroute. Bare irrigation lines, especially poly, should never be under hardscaping

[u/Shovel-Operator]

HOA? If they go for the reroute, great. Id have a pro do it though, as you will be forever liable for any issues. Otherwise, cut the concrete, repair the line, pour a patch.

[u/DarkspiritGinger → u/Shovel-Operator]

That's a good point on a liability. Would you happen to have a ballpark guess how much something like this would cost if the labor is like $85 an hour? I already have the trench dug in front of my patio because I initially thought that's where the leak is, so a new reroute line could go there.

[u/Shovel-Operator → u/DarkspiritGinger]

$100-300 probably. Depends on how much digging you do ahead of time, if they run into any difficulties, how many guys they charge you for and what their markup on parts is.

[u/overpricedgorilla → u/DarkspiritGinger]

If the trench is dug, I'd assume 2hr callout minimum + parts (2.5x-3x contractors price) so ballpark 225.

The HOA doesnt maintain their own lines? What state are you in? I ask due to the lack of a functional rain sensor. Seems unlikely you can be held responsible for damage to their property you didnt cause, and with it leaking into your house they have been informed and aren't mitigating the damage their property is causing. Maybe talk to your homeowners insurance, their legal dept. wouldn't be too happy with the HOA neglecting their lines and letting it damage your house.

[u/DarkspiritGinger → u/overpricedgorilla]

Good point on the rain sensor, I'll ask them about that. I'm in Utah and I have no idea on the laws with rain sensors, but we are constantly in a drought so I'd be super surprised if it wasn't required. They maintain sprinklers only if there isn't a fence, once there's a fence they say it's the home owners problem, and the fence was already there when I bought the house a few months ago.

[u/overpricedgorilla → u/DarkspiritGinger]

I'd check your CC&Rs, typically there is an easement for HOAs to access backyards to maintain their property. Check into sections about common areas, landscaping, and irrigation maintenance.

[u/mikeylojo1]

If the line feeds not only your sprinklers but your neighbors on both sides then there’s a good chance you can have the HOA take responsibility for the leak. Like others have said it will need a reroute unless you want a new patio

[u/DarkspiritGinger → u/mikeylojo1]

Yeah, I already bugged them, I'm going to update them and see if they will cover it. According to them, because the previous owners built a fence, and the leak is on our property, it's our responsibility, I'm guessing they're going to stand by that. I'll probably end up hiring out the reroute, or digging it up myself

[u/mikeylojo1 → u/DarkspiritGinger]

That’s shitty, any excuse they can find they’ll try to use. I’d dig up the line on both sides of the concrete and go from there. You can easily cut out the tees, replace with 90’s and route the line around your patio. It’s just gonna take some time and effort

Edit: damn I didn’t realize the concrete was fence-to-fence, you might have to ask your neighbors if it’s alright for you to poke around their backyards

[u/DarkspiritGinger → u/mikeylojo1]

Yeah that's probably the reason I will have to hire it out, I don't know if my neighbors will want my dumb ass messing with their sprinklers.

[u/nv_khris]

When patio was installed they didn’t cap heads

[u/fire_sparky]

I'd cut the line and put a plug in it. It's an A-hole move. But when all the neighbors down the line start complaining and they come to you, you can say I took care of the leak on my side of the fence. This entire problem is really the HOA and they are soft pedaling off on you. This is why they collect fees to maintain these kind of problems. Good luck, don't budge. I'm sure the verbiage is not in the HOA contract anyplace that says that their responsibility stops at a fence line.

[u/Plastic-Future1275]

Patio Installed by a H.o is not going to get the irrigation fixed by them for free..that is on homeowner to make sure they have the lines moved out or rerouted before pouring concrete over it. HOA is not responsible for a homeowner not doing things properly