Shower leak - Insurance Will Not Cover

mildred1978

There are probably lots of variables. For example, many of my family members are over 6' 5" and weigh 18-20 stone. They visit around 4 or 5 times a year. 2 showers have trays, which probably move with that amount of weight, plus the water sprays higher than under normal use.

mildred1978

http://www.woodworkforums.com/f80/how-often-should-i-replace-silicone-sealant-shower-68956/#post704006

heavenlyharry

Clearly the sealant was damaged, thats not what I am saying.
There was no evidence it was damaged, until a damp mark on the kitchen ceiling.
The joists were absorbing the leak, as confirmed by a structual engineer.
I would much rather check it every two years rather than go through this. Its clearly not ideal!

We have had three plumbers round to look at the work, and could not establish where the leak had come from, because the sealant was intact and with no visable signs where the leak was coming through.

I was hoping for some advice on the insurance/legal side of things rather than checking sealant, but thanks for the advice and once we have a new shower we will be checking the sealant often!

I thought that it would still be classed as an escape of water. We are not claiming for the sealant. We are trying to claim for the damage caused by the escape of water.

dacouch

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Yes I agree, the issue I would have is that if you acted the 1st time you became aware of the issue, ie the time it came through the ceiling, you were in no way negligent.
But, I'm not "legal".

However If I were in your shoes, I would be using the family legal protection service that I and lots of folks have running parallel with their home insurance.

Might get complicated in this case tho' due to clashing interests :rotfl:

Maybe a repost in a more correct legal section of the forum would be best 1st move?;)

It's as rare as proverbial rocking horse dung for a legal protection policy provided by your Home Insurance to include advice / action against the actual Home Insurance.

Subsequent damage eg to ceilings is often covered if you have selected accidental damage cover in these circumstances

heavenlyharry

Why is it only the ceiling that is covered, and not the joists.
The ceiling would not be damaged if it were not for the leak.
I just dont understand why the ceiling is classed as an accident!

Im confused!!!

Thanks

dacouch

heavenlyharry wrote: »

Why is it only the ceiling that is covered, and not the joists.
The ceiling would not be damaged if it were not for the leak.
I just dont understand why the ceiling is classed as an accident!

Im confused!!!

Thanks

Insurance is generally for sudden events, the joists rotting would (Assuming Allianz don't have a specific exclusion on this) be excluded under the general "Gradually Operating" or "Rot" clause.

The ceiling is more of a sudden event.

Insurers often pay damage eg to ceiling following a (Non) storm or leak eg water got into the house due to a badly maintained tiled roof which was not due to a storm or weather that was not quite storm force. They however often pay the subsequent damage it did internally eg the ceiling if you have accidental damage cover as the wording on AD cover is much wider.

keystone

So I could have joists rotting away for years under my suspended floor without me knowing it because I couldn;t see it. Would the floor suddenly dropping one day taking a display cabinet full of expensive porcelain with it not be classified as a sudden event? Sorry - don't buy it and meanwhile I'm going to scrutinise my own policy in some considerable detail over the weekend.

Cheers

dacouch

keystone wrote: »

So I could have joists rotting away for years under my suspended floor without me knowing it because I couldn;t see it. Would the floor suddenly dropping one day taking a display cabinet full of expensive porcelain with it not be classified as a sudden event? Sorry - don't buy it and meanwhile I'm going to scrutinise my own policy in some considerable detail over the weekend.

Cheers

You should scrutinise your policy within 14 days of receiving it to see if it;s suitable and so you understand what your covered for and more importantly what you're not covered for

keystone

Of course but its too long ago that I've forgotten although I must have been happy at the time so this thread has reminded me in a timely fashion that I really should revisit it. Bloody thing costs enough!!

Cheers

cyclonebri1

mildred1978 wrote: »

There are probably lots of variables. For example, many of my family members are over 6' 5" and weigh 18-20 stone. They visit around 4 or 5 times a year. 2 showers have trays, which probably move with that amount of weight, plus the water sprays higher than under normal use.

I posted about this recently, it's probably not the sealants fault, more like the installers.
A decent seant should last 10 years and that's if its flexing, if it's not it's life span is in decades.
All this is provided a decent silicone is used, some come with a rated 10 year lifespan.

But in answer to the above quote, if the bath is installed on a structurally sound frame it should not move. It needs a 3 x 2 to sit on on all sides that meet the walls.
Plus the edge of the bath is at least 2" deep. You can get about 4 runs of sealer or adhesive on the edge with just the flexy white top 1 visible.

And lastly, the tiling must go below the bath lip, not sit on it.;)

Might just help the op with the repairs.