Leak in kitchen behind plasterboard - insurance claim?

MrBrindle

One of my friends in a whatsapp group suggested a plumber 15 minutes from me, and after a quick phonecall tonight, he's coming over tomorrow morning. Although he did stall a bit when I mentioned it was the main pipe into the house after the the stopcock!

I'm starting to think it must be a tricky job for so many plumbers to just not get back to me, or it's too small of a job.

Anyway, we'll see what happens.

Bendy_House

No, this is an easy job.

I don't understand why the guy balked at the thought of it being the main incoming pipe, unless he misunderstood you and thought you were talking about the external pipe - before the stopcock?

Everything internal is a piece of piddle. As long as you can get to it.

Don't forget - we want answers to this one

MrBrindle

Well, I was wrong!! Plumber is here now.

Two inches underneath that 22mm cold water pipe there's a 15mm hot water pipe going in the same direction, and a screw that was going through the plasterboard and stud had pierced it! I hadn't thought that about that pipe, and didn't include it on my drawing. It did feel damp around the elbow - but the water had obviously worked itself up the timber. Crazy.

The screw has gone properly into the pipe - not just pierce it a little. It must have been like that since the house was built 15 years ago! Why leak now though? Unless it's been leaking for years?!

He has cut a notch in the stud to get the pipe out, so I'm a bit concerned about that.

stuart45

Could have been leaking for a while, or might have self sealed and then started again when it was disturbed.  The stud should be fine, the sheathing holds the lot together.

MrBrindle

Yeah that's what I thought. Should I be concerned about dry rot or something??

stuart45

Try and get the timber a bit drier before you seal it back up again.

MrBrindle

stuart45 said:

Try and get the timber a bit drier before you seal it back up again.

Yeah I'm planning on leaving the dehumidifier underneath the counter for a few days. I'm just concerned about the the bottom plate which I obviously can't see - the water spread over 4-5ft across the bottom of the wall.

Maybe I'm being too paranoid.

Bendy_House

Yup - paranoid

Chill, relax - give it weeks... I'd suggest you let it dry fully before looking at patching it back up.

Cool - result!

MrBrindle

No worries, will do.

Next job is getting someone out to fix the dishwasher, because during the chaos that ensued when I found the leak behind the dishwasher, I've done something to it and it's refusing to fill now! (yes I have connected the water supply and electric after unplugging)

Is it not worth going through insurance to take everything out, dry, and replace any potentially rotting timber?? Think our excess is £350

Bendy_House

MrBrindle said:

Is it not worth going through insurance to take everything out, dry, and replace any potentially rotting timber?? Think our excess is £350

I suspect you've missed that opportunity.

In any case, I doubt very much they'd see that work as necessary.

Was the flooring damaged at all? Mil had a W/M leak a good few years back, which only showed itself when water began to squirt up between the Karndean oak flooring when walked on, and the insurance covered the repair.