Search the forum,

Discuss Bathroom installation leads to water damage - what do we do? in the Plumbing Forum | Plumbing Advice area at PlumbersForums.net

Messages
9
Hello all,

I am hoping that you can give us some advice. We're in the UK, and have contracted a company to completely refit the first floor bathroom. The first fix was completed a few days ago. We haven't moved in yet.

When we returned to the property just now, the kitchen ceiling had caved in. Basically, one of the mains pipes in the bathroom floor has popped off, and flooded the kitchen ceiling, which then gave way. When we came back, water was running freely from one of the (fresh water) pipes, which had come undone at one of the plastic screw-fit joints. There is a fair bit of damage. Overall, about 1/3 to 1/2 of the kitchen ceiling has come down, with (mains powered) led lights hanging down. Water has spread across about half the kitchen, and flooded half the corridor outside the kitchen, where water has also run to/under the gas meter / fuse box (where mains cables run). There's plenty of water/dirt marks all around the walls. We obviously turned the water off immediately when we saw the damage.

We called the contractor in question, and they will come round in a moment to clear up and assess the situation. The contractor has been ok this far, if a little unreliable, and will likely offer to make repairs.

However, we don't want to be caught off guard. What would you recommend that we do? What would you - as a contractor - offer by way of assurance?

We're obviously a bit shaken by the situation, and any advice would be really really appreciated! Many thanks!
 
Assurance of what can I ask

Then to rectify the damage or something else ?
 
Assurance of what can I ask

Then to rectify the damage or something else ?
Hi Shaun,

thanks for the response. Yes, to rectify the damage.

However, trades people are really very busy. For example, would you consider it reasonable to ask about the timescale for the repairs? Do I need to check with them that they will cover costs for all labour/materials? Would they just put in a new ceiling, or does it need to be to the standard of the old ceiling, which has coving etc. What if the replacement gets complicated or they don't do a good job on it? Should I ask for something in writing?

Initially, they weren't keen to come round immediately, but just said "turn the water off, we'll come tomorrow". They then changed their mind, and are now coming this evening. Given that water was still spreading from the kitchen into the house, which might cause further damage, their initial response didn't feel very forthcoming or reassuring.

I run a small business, and yeah, things can go wrong; but if they do, we go out of our way to fix it. So, in the same way, I guess things do go wrong; but I guess I'm looking for reassurance that they will go out of their way to fix this quickly and competently.
 
As it’s come down and it’s damaged the kitchen and half the ceiling it’s best to get there insurance details and call them first thing Monday to put a claim then normally they will send someone out to survey the damage
 
The amount of water you've described can cause a lot of non-obvious damage. I recommend getting your own chartered surveyor to supervise the repairs. Last one of these I saw required the affected rooms to be stripped back to masonry at a cost of ca £100k.
 
We spent many years sub contracting to a specialist insurance contractor, seen this sort of damage many times unfortunately.
You need to contact your own insurance a s a p.
You need a team in to remove anything that's wet .
Then dehumidifiers and fans that keep air moving very urgently to save any further damage.
If kitchen units have become soaked they are probably history.
Seriously considering getting a loss assessor ( totally different from a loss adjustor)
Assessors work for you sorting the whole claim out. No cost to you charged to in your case your contractors insurance.
 
First if things go badly adrift your going to need your own insurance company on board.
They will have to hand contractors experienced in flood work something almost certainly your bathroom contractors won't have.
You yourselves will not have the expertise to supervise any remedial work or indeed even know what's really required.
Let your insurance handle it or as I said earlier get a loss assessor I've seen really good outcomes when they've been involved.
 
Contact your insurance company and they will take care of the dealings with the contractor and their insurance.

The last thing you want is the contractor coming in and covering up items that may / will need addressing.
Some issues may not show up for a few weeks.
Mould may linger and grow for months
 

Reply to Bathroom installation leads to water damage - what do we do? in the Plumbing Forum | Plumbing Advice area at PlumbersForums.net

Creating content since 2001. Untold Media.

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock