Burst pipe flooded house 5 days ago - how to deal with loss adjuster visit

[TodgyCat]

Hello
I've lurked on Mumsnet a while for sensible help - but really need some specific advice quickly. I'm frazzled and this looks expensive.

Burst pipe last Thursday flooded several rooms - water came from attic down to bathroom through ceiling (which later fell down), then covered a whole floor (2 beds, 2 baths and the landing are all on one concrete slab) than flowed downstairs through the concrete floor and concrete beams. The electrics blew. Ground floor (concrete) was half an inch deep in water throughout. When we heard it (5am) we turned off water asap and moved delicate stuff and bailed water. Later fixed the pipe ourselves. Water was coming off ceiling beams in waterfalls... 2 days later some of the ceiling fell down.

We were cut off by snow. Because nobody could reach us and the professional driers appointed were busy, we did all we could. 13-14 hours a day drying things with water vacuum cleaner, dehumidifiers (borrowed), fans and removing carpet (in strips, sodden carpet is heavy) and wiping condensation every few hours on woodwork.

Finally the drying people got back to us and will come tomorrow. I want them to realise how wet it has been - but all things considered it looks quite good! I did take photos from day 2 but tbh I was working flat out to minimise damage first. The loss adjuster uses their report to decide what to do / pay, it seems (this is new to me). You can see the tide marks on the walls and some ceilings and everything is still damp.

Please, please can anyone advise on what to say to them to make sure all is done that should be? We have just had a small patch of dry rot treated (should I tell them?) and I'm twitchy about so much soaking wet woodwork - skirting and architraves and wooden window frames are splitting and warping. I want as much wood replaced as possible and of course thorough drying out.

One bedroom's ceiling that didn't fall down (next to bathroom where it did) looked bad yesterday -- bubbles and damp stains. Today you can't really see this. I read that plasterboard should be replaced if it has been wet - should I try to get that done?

My brain isn't really working properly with shock and exhaustion and I haven't examined the insurance small print but this is going to cost a lot and doubtless it won't all be covered... please can anyone advise what is important to say and to ask for?

thanks in advance
TodgyCat

The LA is coming to check the claim is real
They look at the cost of replacing what needs replacing and are generally fair -

For example that the property is in good repair prior to the damage

I wouldn't worry

It’s an escape of water situation, that will be your policy peril

You mention burst pipe, I assume from the recent cold weather etc

So long as your buildings policy has an escape of water peril it’ll be covered, likely your repair work to the pipe done already will not be covered however

The LA will scope the works and put into a report what is damaged and what works need to be done, they will do that directly themselves

The LA will also make sure you have not under insured

Carpets will be contents insurance not buildings

Other than that just be helpful to the LA and not a pain - let them do their job and answer questions truthfully

It’ll all be fine

Make a list of everything you know has been damaged and tell them where there is plasterboard, etc.

thank you both -- I'm trying to calm down, haven't really slept since it happened. I'm usually quite sensible!

Agree with the list, it'll help your mind to get things out and onto paper, then you can move on to thinking about other things. Just make sure everything is clear with the loss adjuster.