Advice please: cleaners have damaged my sink. What to do?

skintchick

I know this isn't really the right board for this query, but I wanted advice more on the cleaners than the DIY element of this.

I have cleaners who come once a week to do my bathroom, cloakroom and hard floors as I've just had a baby and this is my little treat so my house is always presentable so please don't tell me it's not very MSE to have a cleaner!

Because I've always done my own cleaning I have products etc which they use, and I keep the relevant products and cleaning cloths in each room, so there is no need to run from room to room to get other things. I explained this when I took them on.

Recently, I noticed that the sink waste (plughole) in the bathroom has got scratched. As I have a newborn I didn't think much of it (mind on other things) but I noticed after the cleaners had been last week that it was worse, and so I had a look in the cupboard and found a metal pan scourer!

They have been cleaning the sink with a metal pan scourer which has completely scratched and totally ruined the sink waste.

My question is how do I deal with this? Is it reasonable to ask them to pay for the new waste? It will be at least £20 from what I can see online as it is a pop-up waste unit and then my husband can fit it so at least we don't have to pay a plumber.

I'm really cross they have taken scourers from under my kitchen sink and used them in the bathroom, which is pretty new (fitted my previous owners just before we moved in four years ago). I told them only to use what was in each room and provided cloths and plastic scourers as well as the right products (Cif, limescale remover, bleach).

They are not perfect cleaners, often miss bits and are always late which makes me :mad: but they are OK and nice people. They are Polish and obviously building a business as they often bring new people to train up. Sometimes I have three of them here at once, as they are training new people.

Only one of them speaks decent English and I will have to speak to him about it. Obviously I will tell him not to use metal scourers again but can I reasonably ask them to pay for the waste? Or do I have to chalk it up to experience? I'm so cross!

Quentin

If they are good cleaners apart from these minor issues maybe just asking/telling them not to do it any more will suffice.


if you go claiming £20 off them then expect a breakdown of the relationship!


If they are no good anyway just bin them and get others. Take the £20 out of their wages (assuming you are certain they did it) and see what happens, then take it from there.

skintchick

We only pay them £20 a week anyway Quentin, and we need to replace the pop-up waste and the plug, which is at least £30 for both AND the waste in the cloakroom as they have scratched that one too although not as badly, and that is minimum £12 from what I can see, so it's about £45 of damage which is a lot.

StuC75

are we talking the plug hole or the plug?

maybe its easier to live with replacing the plug yourself rather than eternally wondering which toothbrush may have been used to clean the toilet in retaliation to you charging for replacing the plug, and they just saying 'yes ok'...

would you ever really know??

sinizterguy

Replace it yourself, tell them what has happened and tell them not to do the same in future. Next time you can charge them for it, but as said, your relationship will break down.

fabforty

skintchick wrote: »

I know this isn't really the right board for this query, but I wanted advice more on the cleaners than the DIY element of this.

I have cleaners who come once a week to do my bathroom, cloakroom and hard floors as I've just had a baby and this is my little treat so my house is always presentable so please don't tell me it's not very MSE to have a cleaner!

Because I've always done my own cleaning I have products etc which they use, and I keep the relevant products and cleaning cloths in each room, so there is no need to run from room to room to get other things. I explained this when I took them on.

Recently, I noticed that the sink waste (plughole) in the bathroom has got scratched. As I have a newborn I didn't think much of it (mind on other things) but I noticed after the cleaners had been last week that it was worse, and so I had a look in the cupboard and found a metal pan scourer!

They have been cleaning the sink with a metal pan scourer which has completely scratched and totally ruined the sink waste.

My question is how do I deal with this? Is it reasonable to ask them to pay for the new waste? It will be at least £20 from what I can see online as it is a pop-up waste unit and then my husband can fit it so at least we don't have to pay a plumber.

I'm really cross they have taken scourers from under my kitchen sink and used them in the bathroom, which is pretty new (fitted my previous owners just before we moved in four years ago). I told them only to use what was in each room and provided cloths and plastic scourers as well as the right products (Cif, limescale remover, bleach).

They are not perfect cleaners, often miss bits and are always late which makes me :mad: but they are OK and nice people. They are Polish and obviously building a business as they often bring new people to train up. Sometimes I have three of them here at once, as they are training new people.

Only one of them speaks decent English and I will have to speak to him about it. Obviously I will tell him not to use metal scourers again but can I reasonably ask them to pay for the waste? Or do I have to chalk it up to experience? I'm so cross!

Perhaps I'm missing the point, but does a scratched plug hole really need replacing? You sound very angry about something which sounds pretty minor (as I say, perhaps I am missing the point).

sulkisu

fabforty wrote: »

Perhaps I'm missing the point, but does a scratched plug hole really need replacing? You sound very angry about something which sounds pretty minor (as I say, perhaps I am missing the point).

I must admit, I was thinking the same thing!

skintchick

I'm cross because it is damaged and will cost money we don't have. If I sound overly cross it is probably just sleep deprivation. But wouldn't you be cross if someone damaged your stuff and cost you money?

I don't actually think I sound very cross in my post anyway

sulphate

I would just find another cleaner.

RAS

Bin the cleaner.

Write to them and tell them that they have caused damage to the value of £45 by scratching plug home because they used metal pan scourers. You are not therefore prepared to allow them in the house again.

Then relax. You do not need to replace the plug holes immediately. They are still functional. When you can afford it, buy a new one and get OH to replace it.

And find a new cleaner.

tea_lover

sulphate wrote: »

I would just find another cleaner.

Definitely. One that understands how to clean things for a start! And check their insurance.