Kitchen unit just fallen off wall!

gjphilsaint

Just very glad that none of my family were in there at the time, but after what sounded like an earthquake, rushed into the kitchen to find a double wall cupboard had come away from the wall and was in the middle of the room.
The contents which included mugs, glasses and food jars/tins were all smashed underneath. Other damage includes dents and scratches to the fridge freezer, lino is cut and stained (beetroot juice).
The kitchen was bought from Wickes 21 months ago and installed by their fitter. We have phoned the fitter who initially said it could be 'wear and tear' but as a goodwill gesture will replace the unit but we will have to claim for the rest on the house insurance!!
I am not happy as my son had been in there 5 minutes earlier and wouldn't have stood a chance if it had all landed on top of him. How could wear and tear enable a heavy unit to 'fall off the wall' after 21 months?
Could someone please advise me as to the best approach? Do I simply take the hit on the insurance or should I be pursuing Wickes over this? I have taken photos as evidence of the state of the kitchen after it happened It just doesn't seem right I would really appreciate any help with this one, please.

geri1965_2

Most likely scenario is that the incorrect type of fixings were used, unless it was overloaded or pulled away somehow. What type of wall is it and what was used to fix it?

I would take some photos of the wall, and the back of the cupboard with the fixings before they come round and dispose of the evidence.

maninthestreet

So how was the cupboard attached to the wall? What type and size screws were used, how many, and what was used to anchor them into the wall?
My kitchen cupbaords have been up for over 15 years without falling off the wall.

gjphilsaint

It is an interior brick wall. Have put the brackets and screws to one side and taken more photos. Screws are an inch long, but have no idea if this is a suitable length.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I'd say an inch long is wayyyyyyyyyyy too short.

27col

Cupboards don't fall off walls unless they have been badly installed.
Mine have been up at least 25 years fitted (by myself) and there is no sign of any "wear and tear" apart from the inevitable scuffing as plates and other heavy items are slid in and out. They are very heavily loaded with crockery. It is obvious that the fitter did not assess the quality and type of wall construction properly when he was fitting the cupboards.
I've just read the post before mine. !" screws would be ridiculously short should be at least 2" or even more. A kitchen fitter must be aware of the extreme loadings that can be sustained by wall cupboards.

gjphilsaint

Thank you very much for your replies.

Should I contact the house insurance and start a claim or do I go to Wickes first? The installer says that he has already spoken to Head office in order to be given permission for the goodwill gesture.
I don't feel that we should be taking the brunt of a claim, if someone is to blame for it but I am also so angry when I think that my son missed being underneath it all by minutes!

southcoastrgi

A goodwill gesture don't make me laugh, do not let him back in to do any repair work, before you have done the following,

Speak to Wicks & insist that someone comes out to inspect the install & not the installer or one of his mates, wall cupboards should not be fitted using 1" screws also really they should have used brown rawplugs but i bet they are red, if this cupboard has been fitted using these screws then you can bet that all the wall cupboards are the same.

I would insist that Wicks replace the damaged wall unit, remove the remaining wall units & check the screws & replace as necessary, repair any damage caused by this badly fitted wall unit, make a list of everything that is damaged & take loads of pics

gjphilsaint

Thank you very much for the excellent advice. Strangely, the 1" screws are in brown rawl plugs, but we have another wall unit fitted by the same installer so will insist it is removed and checked.
Many thanks again

phill99

1" screws? He would do just as well to use drawing pins!

Louby-Lou_2

surely the installer will be insured for accidents and things like this ??