Leaking Pipe Behind Wall

kalialba

Looking for some advice re a leaking pipe behind the wall.

I am fairly certain I have a small/slow leak in a pipe that is behind the wall in the kitchen. Wall was boarded out and replastered many years ago to cover pipes running up the wall. Now the plaster/decor crinkled in part, I pressed it and a small part came away so that you can see what looks like a small section of hessian (plaster board??). There is a very small residue of water seeping from underneath the edge of the skirting board.

A few floor tiles have started to move when you tread on them, I assume this has been caused by seepage from the leak which may have been there for some time before it became obvious.

I realise the wall will have to be opened to find the source of the leak.

I have pipe cover through united utilities however I assume they will not replace plasterboard or repair/replace floor tiles.

Would I be better to submit a claim through house insurance?

Any advice appreciated. Obviously this will need sorted ooner rather than later to prevent further damage.

ACG

Do you have trace and access cover in your insurance? (If you have cheap and cheerful this is one of the first things to go).

kalialba

ACG

Sorry, don't know what trace and access cover is, can you explain please.

silvercar

In the small print of your house insurance policy. It should say whether it covers the costs of track & trace or not.

Track and trace is the cost of tracking down or tracing a path to the cause of the problem. So if you have it, your insurer will pay the reasonable costs of whatever is needed to track down the source of the water leak and the repairs needed to restore the damage once the repair has been made. If the actual leak is wear and tear that probably won't be covered.

ACG

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trace_and_access

kalialba

Wording in the policy as follows:

Your policy covers the buildings for loss or damage resulting from any of the following

Sudden and unexpected water leaking from
or
freezing in any washing machine, dishwasher,fridge, freezer or plumbed in domestic water, drainage or heating installation.


We will also pay up to the limit for any one claim
for necessary and reasonable costs that you incur in finding the source of the damage to the home.


.This includes reinstating any wall, floor, ceiling, drive, fence or path removed or damaged during the search.

Is this what I am looking for as track and trace?

ChumpusRex

Yes. It says that they will pay for the cost of searching for a problem, and repairing after the search.

The catch is that your policy (as is normal) only covers "sudden and unexpected" leaks which a slow leak normally is not. So you may not be covered at all for this leak.

You will need to speak to them and clarify the situation.

kalialba

Just found it on my policy schedule and Trace and Access is covered therefore I assume the home insurance is the way to go.

Thanks for the help and advice.