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Burst pipes-help!

5 replies

candyflossy · 22/01/2013 13:52

Last Thursday, my next door's neighbour had burst pipes whilst on holiday. Water came flooding into my lounge and dinning room. Now a third of my carpet is wet. Dehumidifier is coming tomorrow to dry out the wet areas before a drying certificate is issued. I am very confused about the procedures and most concerned about mould. What does a drying certificate cover? And will the insurance company be sending anyone in to check for mould before new carpets put in and walls repainted? Thanks for our help.

OP posts:
ClareMarriott · 22/01/2013 16:26

Candy

If the dehumidifier is only coming tomorrow when the damage occurred 5 days ago , then what I would suggest is that you take up the carpet to prevent the possibility of mould/more mould forming. Then I would suggest you obtain a couple of quotes for repainting the walls ( building ) and replacing the carpet ( contents ) and speak to your insurers. Do the insurers insure both the building and contents , if not then you will have to contact two insurers.

PigletJohn · 22/01/2013 17:00

the drying out certificate says that the house is dry enough to do the other repairs, such as redecorating and laying new carpets.

Read you insurance policy. Twice.

Make sure your insurers are involved and understand that you may need replastered walls and ceilings, new floor coverings, replacement possessions. If the kitchen cabinets got wet, they will be ruined because they are made of chipboard or MDF which swells and falls apart when damp.

Kitchen appliances may have been damaged.

Sockets and swiitches may need to be replaced.

The carpets or other coverings ought to be taken up so the floor can dry. If it is a chipboard floor it will need to be taken up and replaced. The insurers will have a carpet assessor who will look at your carpets and note their quality. If necessary he can look at an off-cut (e.g. if you have nowhere to store wet, rotting carpet). The insurers will try to give you a voucher for Carpetright because they get commission. See if you can get better elsewhere for the money. You might like to add a bit on to get better. You are entitled to new underlay, edge grip and fitting, of course.

Keep records of your electricity meter readings. The insurers will pay for rhe electricity used by the dehumidifiers (about 30p per hour each if they are biggish ones). The dehumidifiers must be used in rooms with the doors and windows shut, otherwise they will try to dehumidify the world. Until they arrive, open windows and doors to let the water vapour out. Ventilation dries a house, heat doesn't.

Take plenty of photos so you remember what had to be done.

make notes of all the damage to include in your claim.

candyflossy · 22/01/2013 20:34

Thanks for your replies. Do I have to arrange for someone to check for mould or would the carpet assessor do that?

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 23/01/2013 12:50

no, the carpet asessor will only look at the damage to teh caroets, and their replacement cost.

Mould will grow on anything that is wet. When it is dry it will stop growing. If you have anything that is wet or mouldy advise your insurers that it needs replacing.

They might have an information leaflet or website about EOWs.

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