What to do to claim against electrician who naieled through a water pipe?

Chris_P_2

Our boiler has been losing pressure since we turned the heating on 3 weeks ago. The installer has been out 4 times and was at a loss. This afternoon water started dripping, then streaming down from the kitchen celiing. We called out an emergency plumber who found the problem was that a nail had caught a pipe that ran under the bathroom floor. To find this out a number of tiles had to be pulled up, but the actual nail was just on the edge of the tiling. We had a burglar alarm put in in the summer, and they pulled up the boards to fit one of the sensors in the kitchen. It is this board that as it was nailed back down a pipe got caught. There was sno sign until the heating went on (and where its situated walking may have made the pipe nick worse). The plumber will have to drain the system, and fix the piping - we will then need new bathroom tiling, and a new kitchen ceiling.

I just rang the electrician (who is on holiday) but spoke to his son who actaully did the job. He is claiming it wasnt them and denying any responsibility as "Its a pressurised system and so any leak would have been noticed straight away". He also categorically stated that they dont nail boards down they screw (nails are blatantly in place). I have told him he needs to come round in the am before our plumber sgarts to fix it.

How can i prove it is their fault? they are part of NIC EIC. I am actually very happy with the job they did, and would still use them again.

Appreciate any quick answers.

Thanks

Guardsman

Are they new nails Did the plumber cut grooves in the joists to get the pipe through ?

Chris_P_2

Guardsman wrote: »

Are they new nails Did the plumber cut grooves in the joists to get the pipe through ?

he just re-nailed down an existign board - no alterations were mae to the pipework or boards

T_T_2

First things first. You need to start cataloging everything. Pictures, wide shots, close-ups, the full CSI-Miami treatment. Don't let your plumber carry out anything other than emergency work if you haven't taking all of these pictures. His work may well remove any evidence of what your electrician has done. If he contests blame (which it sounds like he might) then without evidence you haven't got a lot to go on.

Make notes of each conversation you have with your electrician.

mo786uk

start reading up on the supply of goods and service act 1982 for the legal view. could be a long road ahead if the bill is going to be massive and they do not take responsibility

dalesrider

Am I being a bit simple here......

But isnt this what house insurance is for....

Or does the OP not have it.

peachyprice

More like, isn't this what the electrician has public liability insurance for.

He does have it, doesn't he OP?