Trace and access of leaks policy query...

Proudarse

Hi All, I posted the same thread in the Household and Travel section but I think maybe it's best posted here.

Last November I noticed my 8 month old Bosch boiler making a grinding noise so I opened the flap and found the pressure needle on 0, well into reds yet the boiler was still working for hot water and heating. I topped it up and didn't think anything of it.

Next day 0 again! I knew straight away that i must have a leak somewhere and started inspecting, and immediately discovered a wet patch across the skirting board behind my dining table in the kitchen corner! I have no idea how long the boiler was running on 0 pressure but it must have been months as the water had pretty much penetrated the kitchen, living room and the corridor.

Called a plumber and he took off the skirting and a few laminates and repaired the leak. I paid him £200 for his troubles as it took him 4 hours due to the awkward access and the pipes were too close to each other.

First question: Should the insurance company reimburse me this amount?

I then called my insurance company, Budget Insurance, and they agreed to deal with the damage and restore everything as it was. It took a whole month for the floors and walls to dry.

It's been three weeks since the contractors finished their job and we're only just settling back in again untill last weekend when I noticed the pressure on the boiler was quite low! I topped it up and by morning it had lost quite a bit. I bled all the radiators and then topped it up again, but the next day noticed that it's still dropping although not as quickly as it did in November.

Second question: My cover includes trace and access of leaks. If I call Budget and make another claim, should they send a specialist around who can detect the leak and fix, and then send decorators around to repair any flooring, plastering painting etc?

I did call them but they told me I'd need to call my owner plumber and once he's fixed the leak, I should call them back.

I'm not sure what to do here, all the plumbers I called on Checkatrade have told me that unless there's visible signs of wet patches, there's not a lot they can do.

I'm stressing out here as my family have only just moved back in with me after two months as the place was drying up and the delay in getting the decorators in due to Christmas and New year and now this happens again!

I can't find the leak and fear it might be under the floor again.

Please kindly advise.

Thank you.

TSx

Trace and Access covers the finding of an unknown leak that has caused damage - and accessing it. It does not cover the costs of repairing the pipe. You may be able to claim some of the £200 back but would need to speak to the insurer.

In terms of your second query, the insurer are within their rights to insist that you find the leak first. There is no cover for tracing a leak unless there is also water damage to the property. They should reimburse these costs later on if it turns out there is water damage but if the leak hasn't caused any damage, they don't need to cover anything.