Loft insulation and damage - insurance claims
Discussion
A week ago we had extra loft insualtion fitted. A leaflet came with the post a month ago, I phoned up and they came to inspect and then booked an appointment.
The installer duly came, installed the loft insulation and left. We went up and put some battens up the same night and then boarded a small area of the attic before putting all our belongings back up.
36hrs later I noticed a funny smell in the upstairs but put it down to the heating just kicking in. The following day (48hrs after installation) I went into the bedroom and saw water running down the walls. I went straight up in the attic and found that the overflow pipe from the water tank in the attic had come apart on the joint. This hasn't just 'happened', the installer must have caught the pipe while fitting insulation as theres no-one else been in that part of the attic.
As a result of the overflow releasing into the attic rather than outside, it has wrecked one part of the ceiling - bowing and sagging - and marked two other ceilings with damp patches. Also I have wet walls and carpets in a bedroom.
I phoned the installer who asked me to hire a dehumidifier. I did this, and phoned them back as the room is out of used due to sagging ceiling. They have referred this to their insurers who sent an assessor today. He has looked and said its not straight forward, and wont guarantee the insurers will pay, as there was gaffer tape around the pipe. I have no idea where this came from, as I have only been in the attic where the tank is once, and that was in 2009 to install CCTV.
The assessor basically said they werent going to rush, it may take weeks to get any work commenced or liability agreed. I have since phoned my home insurer and commenced a claim with them. How can I get this pushed on quickly - I live in a 2 bed house with 2 kids, and one bedroom is out of action due to damp and sagging ceilings.
How long / how big a job is it to rip down a couple of ceiling boards, fit new, artex and decorate a room?
The installer duly came, installed the loft insulation and left. We went up and put some battens up the same night and then boarded a small area of the attic before putting all our belongings back up.
36hrs later I noticed a funny smell in the upstairs but put it down to the heating just kicking in. The following day (48hrs after installation) I went into the bedroom and saw water running down the walls. I went straight up in the attic and found that the overflow pipe from the water tank in the attic had come apart on the joint. This hasn't just 'happened', the installer must have caught the pipe while fitting insulation as theres no-one else been in that part of the attic.
As a result of the overflow releasing into the attic rather than outside, it has wrecked one part of the ceiling - bowing and sagging - and marked two other ceilings with damp patches. Also I have wet walls and carpets in a bedroom.
I phoned the installer who asked me to hire a dehumidifier. I did this, and phoned them back as the room is out of used due to sagging ceiling. They have referred this to their insurers who sent an assessor today. He has looked and said its not straight forward, and wont guarantee the insurers will pay, as there was gaffer tape around the pipe. I have no idea where this came from, as I have only been in the attic where the tank is once, and that was in 2009 to install CCTV.
The assessor basically said they werent going to rush, it may take weeks to get any work commenced or liability agreed. I have since phoned my home insurer and commenced a claim with them. How can I get this pushed on quickly - I live in a 2 bed house with 2 kids, and one bedroom is out of action due to damp and sagging ceilings.
How long / how big a job is it to rip down a couple of ceiling boards, fit new, artex and decorate a room?
Tank had overflowed due to us not being there to use the water. IUt only ever overflows if we dont use the shower / bath for a day or more. We bathed the kids saturday morning, had showers etc. It appears the ballcock is a bit corroded but does shut off. It's not something i've ever bothered about, not having been in the attic other than to store crap.
The joint didn't fail. It was a push-fit 22mm plastic pipe joint. When the loss adjuster looked at it, it wasnt easy to pull apart, but if you pushed the pipe as if you had say, caught it with a foot or a roll of insulation, it popped apart. I don't care who pays, as long at it gets sorted asap and I grt my house back.
As for the artex, it's there, it was in 1992 when the house was built, and one room without it will look stupid, so it will be going back up.
The joint didn't fail. It was a push-fit 22mm plastic pipe joint. When the loss adjuster looked at it, it wasnt easy to pull apart, but if you pushed the pipe as if you had say, caught it with a foot or a roll of insulation, it popped apart. I don't care who pays, as long at it gets sorted asap and I grt my house back.
As for the artex, it's there, it was in 1992 when the house was built, and one room without it will look stupid, so it will be going back up.
dirkgently said:
So you had a known problem but left it to the secondary line of defence to sort out. I cant see that playing out well with the insurance.
i knew my overflow worked as intended ie it drained outside. the ballcock functions correctly. it wouldnt have been a problem had the fitter not knocked the pipe apart ie had i not had the contractor in then it would never have been disturbed. i doubt im going to pursue a claim against builders who may not have fitted some pipe glue 20yrs ago. im waiting for our contents insurers assessor to visit. will see what they say.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff