House flood after plumber fits new water tank - help!

richleeds

Hi

2 weeks ago a plumber did some work and advised that the house we recently moved into needed a new water tank, the old one was rusting away and liable to fall apart.

So he fitted and new plastic tank and all was ok.

Last night our neighbour below us knocked on our door and said water was running into his house, but we couldnt fit anything in ours to indicate a problem.

However we got up this morning and we have cracked wood everywhere, ceilings parts cracking, walls drenched, wallpaper coming off - complete nightmare, which has sadly been duplicated for our neighbour underneath.

I dashed up to the loft and the connecter into the tank was dripping at a fast rate.

Turned the water off and called the plumber. He came straight away and its the small red washer in the connector that has deteriorated and he found it split in 2.

Where do we go from here?

The plumber fitted it 2 weeks ago, does the liability lie with him?

The plumb store supplied it to the plumber 2 weeks ago, does it lie with them?

The manufacturer has supplied goods not fit for purpose does it lie with them?

Or is it just tough luck and "washers break" so get on with it?

We do appreciate that washers go and need replacing, but surely not within the first 2 weeks?

Any advice, really dont want to claim on our own home insurance unless we have to.

Thanks

Rich

maninthestreet

Your contract is with plumber.

pinkshoes

I would think the plumber has insurance against this sort of thing happening... if the washer was brand new and split within two weeks, then it was obviously faulty, but this ought to be for the plumber to chase.

Hintza

Probably your house insurer. If they want to tackle the plumber let them. If I were you I wouldn't get too involved.