Double Post - but wasnt sure which section to put in

Thomo2710

Hi,

I have my buildings and contents insurance with Sheila Wheels.

I have a damp problem which has just been discovered when i lifted up all the laminate in the living room due to popping board joints. Floor been down for 2 years.
Boards started popping about 3 months ago.

The whole of the concrete subfloor in the living room was soaked!

I dont have any central heating pipes leaking as my boiler and sealed system doesnt lose pressure.
Looking at the water service points in the path outside and the location of my main water tap makes it nigh on improbable that a mains water pipe is running under my LR floor.

Neither neighbour has had any issues with damp floors.

I believe that the DPM has failed and the moisture is rising up through the conrete slab and has now ruined my laminate and underlay.

I rang SW to make a claim - the chap took all my details and said im sorry but i dont think we will be able to cover this claim as we dont cover for:

"Damage caused by rising ground water levels"

But my damage is caused by moisture penetrating the conctrete slab and suspected failed DPM - not because of a flood or risen water levels from an increased water table.
Its by natural water flowing through soil which all houses have - thats why we use DPM's no......
I want to claim for a failed part of the building structure.
At least arrange to send an inspector out!!??

What can i do about this?

I complained and they basically said they can escalate it to a senior claims advisor but they will tell me the same early part next week.

Is this right?

I hate clever insurance wording!!!!!!

I am so stressed, my living room is ruined :-(

phill99

But how do you know that the DPM is failing? It would be very unlikely to manifest itself as 'soaking' sub floors.

I looked a t a similar situation a couiple of years ago and the carpet was soaking with no evident water escape. It was an open planned kitchen /lounge. As soon as I entered I could fell tyhe humidity. There was water dripping down the windows and walls from condensation. It was so bad that it had soaked the carpet completely. The insurers refused to pay out as condenation isn't covered.

Leif

Damp air meets cold concrete floor, water condenses. That could be the cause.

When I lifted vile 40 year old vinyl floor tiles, the concrete floor was damp. It soon dried out.