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crack apeared upstairs and both both downstairs windows have started leaking at the same time - would you notify insurance?

2 replies

kitsmummy · 13/01/2014 12:31

Hi, we live in an old (1850s) ex pub. The windows are upvc but have a kind of wooden narrowish beam type thing above them. We've lived here 3 years but over the last couple of weeks both downstairs windows at the front of the house have started leaking at the same time and I think the water is coming in between the top of the windows and the wooden beam.

I also noticed a crack has appeared in my son's room, not a wide crack but about 1.5 m long going up the wall. This is the same side of the house as the leaking windows.

The back of the house is 3 stories as has a basement/garage and the garden is therefore much lower than the front of the house, so house is 2 stories at the front and 3 stories at the back.

I'm wondering if this could mean possible subsidence, or if it just sounds like a very minor problem. Is this the kind of thing that I should get onto our insurance company about? I'm worried about notifying them of possible "subsidence issues", then finding out that it's not, but then having possible subsidence issues on record against the house.

Can anyone advise? thanks

OP posts:
pepperrabbit · 13/01/2014 12:35

Check your insurance policy first to see if you are specifically covered for (or not) subsidence.
Ask a builder their opinion?
Do you have neighbours with similar houses? You could ask if they have any problems following the recent weather.
Our house subsided about 25 years ago and even with all the certificates to say it's fixed and fine. I still have to go through a specialist insurer.

Toecheese · 14/01/2014 19:02

If get someone round to look at the crack.

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