Water leak ceiling repair cost

Zakstr

Hi, lost my other login so made a new one.

I had a leak upstairs off one of the radiator valves, thought it was the boiler pressure relief faulty so refilled three times before I found the problem.

Came home and found downstairs ceiling wallpaper had bubbled. Slit it and drained the water out and removed the wallpaper. The ceiling is very wet where it is affected.

My insurance excess is £450 but I'm not sure who I should be contacting for a private quote. I've attached pictures. I'm just wondering what are my best options now. Ceiling hasn't dropped, just feels wet.

imgur.com/cPOp4fH

imgur.com/vwadOcG

Imgur.com/lzg9C51

Zak

phill99

The work you need doing will be more than £450. you will need as builder / maintenance contractor as you have multi trades. An electrician to temporarily remove the light and replace, a plasterer for replacing boards and re-skimming and a decorator to finish off.


With VAT you are looking at £1400 - 1700.

Zakstr

Okay thanks Phill, will ring insurance back tomorrow and start the claim. I've already removed the light as was planning on changing it anyway. Didn't think it would be that much, I just have no idea about houses, plaster etc. I bought this 6 months ago, thanks for the advice

southcoastrgi

It depends how far you wanna go, you would have been better leaving the paper where it was, there isn't any boards to replace as it's a lathe & plaster ceiling, the cheapest job is to let it dry then replace the wood chip paper you have removed & stain block as needed & repaint, a painter & decorator could do all that for you

SailorSam

I'd wait and see until the ceiling dries out. If the ceiling hasn't come down there's a good chance you may have got away with it, and once dry it'll be ok.
But if the worst happens and you have to pay £450, it's hardly worth getting the insurance involved.

Zakstr

Tips for drying it out quickly? Got a fan in there running all day whilst I'm at work to try and circulate the air, don't know if it will help

Le_Kirk

When we had a leak from a badly fitted overflow, the first thing we received from the insurance company repairers was a couple of dehumidifiers. A fan will move the air and aid in drying out but it will only put the water back into the room whereas a dehumidifier will remove it into a receptacle.