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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask the plumber to replace my damaged items?

9 replies

PlumberProblems · 21/03/2023 09:42

I moved into a new house in February and it needed a new boiler. We switched from a hot water cylinder to a combi on advice from the plumber/gas engineer. It was fitted 4 weeks ago. We've not had too many issues, other than one of the radiators doesn't come on but the plumber promised to sort it out at a later date when he does some other work for us. We are wanting a radiator fitted in the kitchen and the previous owners removed it, and some repiping to some of the other radiators.

On Wednesday last week one of the pipes he fitted from the kitchen to the boiler in the garage came loose at the joint and was leaking into our lobby/back porch. It was only a slow drip but there was still a decent sized puddle. We turned off the water and boiler overnight and the plumber came the next day to tighten it all back up. All fine.

On Sunday evening, I go in the kitchen and can hear water running. I opened the door to the lobby and the pipe was absolutely pouring with boiling hot water which was all over the lobby floor and went out into the garage too. We called the plumber and he came out again. He changed the joint fitting and said he thought it was faulty (but it was the other pipe that was leaking on Wednesday). We think it's because he didn't fix the pipes to the wall properly so it popped open at the joint from the weight of the water if that makes sense? He's coming back tomorrow to secure them properly.

Yesterday my DS was sick all over the living room carpet so I got my carpet cleaner out of the lobby (It was on the opposite side to where the leak was so thought it'd avoided the water). I turned it on and it made an awful noise, blew the electrics, and smelt like burning. Our TV that was in the garage is also water damaged. I don't think anything else is damaged from what I can see.

I'm quite annoyed really, mostly about the carpet cleaner because with 3 kids it's one of my most used items. It's £200 to replace it, I can look at getting it repaired but don't know how much that would be. Not sure on the TV as it is admittedly a few years old but to replace it for a new one of the same make/size is probably about £200-250. My home insurance excess is £250 and yes I could make a claim, but I don't see why I should have to sacrifice my own money and clean claims history because of his shoddy work.

Is it reasonable to ask him to replace them? Or would you ask him to pay the excess? Or discount of equal value of additional work? I'm not sure what to do!

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 21/03/2023 09:46

He should be insured against any damage he causes, so definitely bring this up with him.

MoneyInTheBananaStand · 21/03/2023 09:48

He sounds like a shit plumber.

We had a boiler replaced and have had no issues at all.

He should also be insured for things like this.

WeeOrcadian · 21/03/2023 09:49

Claim in HIS insurance. Christ, he sounds like a liability.

PragmaticWench · 21/03/2023 09:49

He should pay, and claim on his own insurance if necessary.

PlumberProblems · 21/03/2023 09:53

He came highly recommended so I'm quite shocked at the state he left the pipes in. They're plastic pipes and all crossing over each other going up and over the doorway but they're all hanging down which is why I think the joint popped open.

How does it work claiming on his insurance? Do I ask for the details from him and I make the claim or does he do it on his end? I've never had to do this before.

OP posts:
Digimoor · 21/03/2023 09:54

Have you checked he is gas safe registered?

PlumberProblems · 21/03/2023 09:57

Digimoor · 21/03/2023 09:54

Have you checked he is gas safe registered?

Yes I checked before getting him to do the work.

OP posts:
goingtotown · 21/03/2023 10:15

He should have Public Liability Insurance if he hasn't got it it's his problem.

newtb · 21/03/2023 10:17

If you claim on your insurance giving full details, then I would've thought they would claim from his insurers.

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