Do we claim on the home insurance?

fairylights_2

I've had a bit of a nightmare this week. About eight weeks ago we had a plumber come and fit a new loo and basin, and a tiler to get the tiling nice around the whole bathroom. Since then there was a tiny teeny dribble of water on the floor - we think from somewhere round the back of the loo, but we're not entirely sure. Sunday night overnight that dribble turned into a more gentle steady dripping, and we didn't see it until last night, by which time it had soaked into the wooden chipboard underfloor (new flooring to go down on Friday, so the old lino WAS still there - not any more, as we stripped it out to get the floor dry. We found it because we were getting dripped on through the ceiling as we cooked our tea. Not a huge amount, but there's marks on the ceiling where the water has come through now. We rang the plumber that fitted it and he's coming back tomorrow to see if he can fix it. We've called the flooring chap to say we will know tomorrow (hopefully) if he can still come in to do the floor, which we've already bought and is ready to go in.

BUT should I just call the home insurance people and get them to sort it? My fear is that the damage to the subfloor may have been longer than yesterday, and although we've got a heater in there going to dry it out, the damage is already visible on the ceiling of the kitchen below.

What do I do? I'm just not sure where to start! (thanks for reading my essay, by the way!)

courtjester

Depends on the severity of the damage - if the timberwork dries out, there should be no further problem providing the leakage is resolved. Chipboard floors are prone to swelling up when soaked, but this is not inevitable. Once everything is properly dry you can judge whether any remedial work is required.

If you have stains on the ceiling below, these will need to be sealed and painted over. Again, should be no real concern over the structure of the ceiling providing the volume of water penetration is not excessive.

If you have to replace any of this, your plumber will be legally liable for the damage...

Wyndham

Just make sure it is really dry - it can seem dry on the surface but still have water inside. I think it's usual for heaters to be in place for at least a few days, if not weeks.

The plumber is liable, but your insurance company will be able to help you to pursue a claim with him.