Can I claim against builder for damage? (Ed.)

[Notch7]

He also mentioned the filters I think which he said were broken because he'd tightened it up so much.

shower mixers usually have non return valves behind the inlets

they are there because often the hot and cold feed are different pressure and the non return valves stop say the cold feed pushing its way up the hot feed

they do have a little mesh filter on them too

 

[noseall]

tbh my comment was a bit smart-arse esque. What I mean by that is there will, of course, be builders, general builders whatever you want to call them who are good at plumbing. Equally, there will be plumbers who aren't that great at plumbing. However ...

I suppose my thought process is, if in doubt, don't ask the 'builder' to do all trades unless they have a proven track record that can be checked. Let them stick to the building and get other trades to do their respective trades. I see YT vid after vid where a 'builder' has made a complete mess of things like plumbing, electrics etc.

Agree.
35 years ago, I would not have had a clue about the finer points of plumbing and the various essential components. I mean fibre washers, WTF! How can something so banal and easily lost or forsaken be so important, for goodness sake!
You soon learn to become more diligent when you have mouths to feed.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

I'm beginning to realize that his plumbing skills are somewhat lacking.

Sounds about right. I wouldn't let a builder (jack of all trades) within a million miles of plumbing work. They're seperate trades for a reason. I know of a builder who also attempts plumbing work - every single pipe joint is done in compression.

Glad it sounds like there is a proper plumber on the scene now. Horses for courses!

 

[motorbiking]

Yes that's correct.

Of course, I'm not a plumber either so I'm paying him to know what hes doing and safely replace the shower. Which he didn't.

Hes fed me some crap. Like I said he came back when it leaked a little and said it was sorted. All he'd done is tighten it massively.
As you can see above, hes blaming my pipework, hes tried to tell me theres no water under the shower tray so it can't be that (yeh it all went behind the wall!). Tried to tell me because I've claimed before it means its an existing problem (it was the tank before).
Told me theres a fitting inside the wall thats failed - all total crap of course.

Yes I was wondering if hes got no insurance to be honest. He keeps trying to ring me I'm ignoring him now because I'm fed up of his bull. He did leave me a pretty sheepish voice mail too. All leads me to believe hes crapping it now because he doesn't have insurance.

I've advised the insurance company of what happened but waiting for them to get back to me. If needs be I'll be starting in small claims court I guess.

Thing is so far its £750 excess for main insurance, £50 excess for home emergency insurance, £120 for new shower unit, £100 for plumber to sort out his mess and fit one properly. Also, due to previous claim for water loss as above my excess is already £750 - theres going to be a massive insurance cost for me next year. My house WAS for sale - this is going to delay things by weeks so thats indirectly causing me money. Let alone the time we've had to spend cleaning up, sorting the insurance etc, hassle (can't use our living room at the moment) and the obvious stress. If I add up all the intangibles its going to be a lot!

If you ignore his calls you weaken your claim against him. You cannot hold someone liable for repairs without giving them the opportunity to source or repair.

If you intend to recover anything from him you need to keep him in the loop.

 

[paulfoel]

If you ignore his calls you weaken your claim against him. You cannot hold someone liable for repairs without giving them the opportunity to source or repair.

If you intend to recover anything from him you need to keep him in the loop.

Hmmm. Bit more than repairs though its the damage caused.... Unless he can build me a sofa, TV, etc I think hes a bit out of his league.

 

[algas]

- every single pipe joint is done in compression.

And lashings of PTFE on the threads

 

[algas]

The fibre washers have probably disintigrated leaving just a thin layer so he thinks just tighten up as much as he can then bingo the nut splits due to over tightening, seen it all before.

 

[motorbiking]

Hmmm. Bit more than repairs though its the damage caused.... Unless he can build me a sofa, TV, etc I think hes a bit out of his league.

Well if you do not give him the benefit of putting the damage right you’ll need a really good reason not to have your claim chucked out.

 

[ReganAndCarter]

And lashings of PTFE on the threads

Naturally.

 

[paulfoel]

Well I think the builders about to have a bad day soon......
My insurance have spoken to the emergency plumber and asked them to do a report on what has caused this. They've responded with details of what he did wrong, used no washers, overtightened to compensate which caused it to break and cause the water leak. They've also confirmed there is no problem anywhere else.

Its going to be expensive. The quote I've got for the floor is £4K alone, and theres still ceiling, redecorating, furniture etc. Can't see there being much change out of £10K to be honest. I can understand why the insurance company don't want to pay that out.

I'd feel sorry for the guy if he hadn't tried to completely bullsh@t me and deny all responsibility....

Off on hols Saturday - yeh bad timing. Restoration people around today - even if the rip the floor up its going to take days to dry the concete underneath. Great - its going to be a while before the house is back on the market!

 

[paulfoel]

Well if you do not give him the benefit of putting the damage right you’ll need a really good reason not to have your claim chucked out.

Hows he going to put it right?

Buy me new floor, carpets, furniture? I don't think its unreasonable for me to refuse to let him touch anything in my house again after the incompetence hes shown with plumbing?

Not having a go but would you honestly let this guy back in YOUR house to "have a go" at flooring, carpeting, plastering and decorating now?

 

[Notch7]

The fibre washers have probably disintigrated leaving just a thin layer so he thinks just tighten up as much as he can then bingo the nut splits due to over tightening, seen it all before.

Ive made that rookie error before

Its not immediately obvious that tap connectors rely on that washer to seal

 

[Notch7]

Well I think the builders about to have a bad day soon......
My insurance have spoken to the emergency plumber and asked them to do a report on what has caused this. They've responded with details of what he did wrong, used no washers, overtightened to compensate which caused it to break and cause the water leak. They've also confirmed there is no problem anywhere else.

Its going to be expensive. The quote I've got for the floor is £4K alone, and theres still ceiling, redecorating, furniture etc. Can't see there being much change out of £10K to be honest. I can understand why the insurance company don't want to pay that out.

I'd feel sorry for the guy if he hadn't tried to completely bullsh@t me and deny all responsibility....

Off on hols Saturday - yeh bad timing. Restoration people around today - even if the rip the floor up its going to take days to dry the concete underneath. Great - its going to be a while before the house is back on the market!

if the builder refuses to do agree you have no option but to take him to court

if its over £10k it wont be a small claims court jobbie

home insurance doesnt normally cover damage caused by tradesmen

I bet the builder has no insurance, many dont

You should prepare yourself for having to suffer the loss yourself

 

[noseall]

Ive made that rookie error before

Its not immediately obvious that tap connectors rely on that washer to seal

I think they are dedicated black rubber washers, in this location. The fact that there we're none and he didn't even notice, is troubling.

 

[paulfoel]

if the builder refuses to do agree you have no option but to take him to court

if its over £10k it wont be a small claims court jobbie

home insurance doesnt normally cover damage caused by tradesmen

I bet the builder has no insurance, many dont

You should prepare yourself for having to suffer the loss yourself

Insurance company have made no mention that they won't cover yet and they know the details.
All they've said is if they recover from the builder the excess will be refunded and the claim will be stuck off.