Rotted Joists, Home insurance?

jamphi24

Hi
I have a question. About a year ago I bought a house, I am currently having the downstairs made open plan. Having removed a wall and replacing with a steel left a hole is the ceiling which hasn't been plastered yet. When I have a shower above I have noticed that water leaks through the hole. Today I decided to investigate and pull down part of the ceiling (i wanted it redone anyway) and have found that a couple of the joists have serious rot at the ends and need replacing.
Would home insurance cover this? If not do you think I would have a claim against the surveyor as I paid for a full survey?

Thanks for Help

(PS, the joist spans the width of the house anyone know how they actually get replaced as no way to get joist that size in?)

InsideInsurance

You'd only be covered if the incident happened whilst the property was covered by your insurance. If this leak predates your insurance then it certainly wont be covered.

Even full structural surveys dont include making holes. Presumably there was no prior evidence of water damage to the ceiling?

rs65

jamphi24 wrote: »

Would home insurance cover this? If not do you think I would have a claim against the surveyor as I paid for a full survey?

Some policies exclude - Damage caused by the failure, wear and tear or lack of grouting or sealant.

Do you really expect the surveyor to make a hole as you described and then pull down part of the ceiling.

anselld

jamphi24 wrote: »

(PS, the joist spans the width of the house anyone know how they actually get replaced as no way to get joist that size in?)

The whole joist would not be replaced. The rotten section would be removed and a new joist would be fixed alongside the old joist of sufficient length to replace the rotten section and get a good join.