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Getting Answers: Homeowner says pipes filled with debris

Posted at 6:00 PM, Oct 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-17 19:47:47-04

A North Lafayette homeowner is questioning who’s responsible after she says her pipes were filled with debris and one burst inside her home.

Lori Ledoux says a mud like substance filled every pipe in her home in the Lakeview Estates subdivision. She says a pipe busted, sending water throughout the house.

“It’s so built up in our pipes and we’ve had two plumbers here,” said Ledoux. “They both said if you don’t re-pipe, it’s not a matter of if it’s going to bust, but a matter of when.”

Officials with Lafayette Parish Water District North say the substance forms after a build up of calcium and magnesium. The process is known as scaling. Chief Administrative Officer, Byron Guillory says we have hard water in our area and scaling is common.

“They can cause problems with valves, faucets, items in the home and hot water tanks,” said Guillory. “That’ll cause problems with decreased pressure and in some cases, it can stop up the interior water pipes.”

Guillory mentioned in certain areas like Baton Rouge, you’ll see what he calls softer water which comes from rivers and other sources, making it easier on pipes. The Ledoux’s water comes from the aquifer, but they say that should not make them liable for re-piping their entire home. They’ll also have to install new sheet-rock and floors.

Insurance will not pay for it either.

“They don’t cover to repair the pipes, they don’t cover to re-pipe it,” said Ledoux.

Guillory said, “Beyond the meter, there is nothing that we can do. Homeowners often use water softeners to remove the scale buildup.”

Last year, Lafayette Parish Waterworks District North took over as water provider from TESI. We had reported that TESI had issues with arsenic levels and poor water quality back then. Those issues have reportedly been resolved since the new company took over.

The water company does suggest those who do get their water from the aquifer to do routine maintenance to make sure they don’t see scaling problems. They say adding water softeners, calling a plumber to check your pipes and drain your hot water heater once a year to ensure debris is not building up.

The homeowner’s family has set up a GoFundMe. If you’d like to donate, click here.