Help! New Bathroom Leaking - Who pays?

simonj007

Agreed - I've been nothing but nice so far.

As previously mentioned, so long as there is no further cost to us I'm happy for them to fix and make good.

I do think best option is to go up through the plasterboard ceiling, but won't they have to also go through the floorboards?

- Is than an easy fix too?

Thanks

ListysDad

Depends on where the fault lies.
It does make sense to try through the ceiling first as that needs repairing anyway.

southcoastrgi

phill99 wrote: »

But by definition, a sole trader may go bankrupt as an individual, but it doesn't discharge his liabilities to his customers. If a sole trader takes on a van to say buy a new van, even if he ceases trading as a sole trader, he as an individual, will always be responsible for the repayment of that loan, even if he oes and gts a job as a bus driver. He will always be liable. Sole traders take personal responsibility for their work and any failings that may occur. They cannot hide behind a corporate defence.

but it doesn't happen in real life, i totally agree with your view they do take responsibility for any debts but with your van example the bank will get the money back or take the van, the official reciever is only interested in your assets & if anyone owes you money so he can pay off your creditors, they are not interested in whether you have done a good job or a bad one & whether you agree or not or think it is right or wrong i have never ever heard of anyone being forced to go back & do repairs on a previous job unless it is through the courts or trading standards, the OP has no proof that whatever is leaking was down to the son it could have been him the father or the plumber & the OP can't prove anything if they start blaming each other, as the OP said the plumber is just starting up a business (now i don't know if this is a new plumber or someone that has been doing it for yrs but has decided to go self employed) but if he is looking to make a good name for himself then he may be more forthcoming, as for the other two cowboys one is no longer trading & the other one doesn't seem to have a scooby doo so IMO going after those two (if it comes to it) is a complete waste of time & effort & will get the OP diddly squat, he may even end up paying for the repairs & put it down to experience & there are plenty of people out there that have had to do just that.

southcoastrgi

any chance you can post up some pics of the damage & the bathroom ?

keystone

simonj007 wrote: »

well the mess it created when we emptied the bath on Friday evening.

Theres a bloody great big clue here as to where the leak is. Now if they had included an access panel of some description in the tiled bath panel - which is necessary to provide access to a) the bath tap isolating valves which were of course fitted iaw Water Regs and to b) the trap it would be a no brainer. Remove the panel. Remake the joint which was obviously poorly made in the first instance and even more obviously not tested with proper water prior to nailing it all up and replace the access panel. The joint in question will either be where the trap connects to the bath or where the waste pipe connects to the trap. Job done. Did they not provide you with an access arrangement then? Oh dear a tad unprofessional and thats one thing they have to correct then and as they have to do that then the leak can be fixed at the same time and there is no need to bore holes in the ceiling downstairs.

It's simple so far as I'm concerned - fix the leak and make good at no cost to me.

Thats precisely the solution you should be seeking.

Cheers

simonj007

Are bath tap isolating valves a requirement by law? I wonder igf they fitted them? We'll soon see!

Update - the Son called me last night.

Couple of points first:
-Two tiles on the bath panel were fixed with silicon on a separate board for access
- We paid £2,800 to them for the works (So they really made nothing on the job as it took 7 weeks and the father was there every day, to includes Saturday's for 6 weeks!)

Ok - long phone call short.

They are coming next Friday at 8am to remove the two access tiles and then fix the leak.
He seems to think it can only be one of two things and that he'll know the issue within 30 mins.
He confirmed that if it's something they did, they'd fix it and if it's something their plumber did, they'd fix it.

He did also say that if it turns out to be something they didn't do, then they wouldn't fix it or it will be a separate discussion.

All fair enough. But it simply must be something they've done or not done properly - which he kind of agreed with.

My only concern is that they'll remove the panel and suddenly try and say it's nothing to do with them.....

Having said that, they do want to fix the problem.

So I will be present next Friday - I just hope it's the bath and an easy fix and not the bath and the basin too!

If there are any steps or questions you think I should ask them of have confirmation of before next Friday, please please let me know?

Thank you all.
Simon

PS: Yes I will post pics

simonj007

Hi,

Is it a legal requirement to fit bath tap isolating valves?

Thanks,
Simon

keystone

The Water Regulations are actually open to some interpretation on this issue in respect on water conservation but its more a case of best practice than a cast iron legal requirement.

Cheers

simonj007

Update -

Father & Son are here.

Having removed the access panels on the side of the bath they can clearly see the leak is from under the bath where the waste water comes out - they say it's the 'soakaway'

What exactly is the soakaway? What would it leak - not properly fitted?

They have now gone away to get sealant and dust sheets!

Is a leaking soakaway a common problem with a newly fitted bath?

Any soakaway info greatly received.

Thanks,
Simon

simonj007

Soakaway I think is the waste trap?