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Delay in replacing water supply pipe by insurance company and water company

4 replies

Engagebrain · 07/08/2024 10:09

I reported to my insurance company in March 2022 a leaking water supply pipe. They told me there was no need to turn off the water and then took 3 months to mole a new pipe. The water company told me they would then put a new connection in the kerb free of charge as the old one was lead and this would be within 15 days. 2 months later I had to call them to ask what was happening as they hadn't done anything and water had been running under my home's foundation for 5 months. The water company official said "there was no pleasing me" and I was "complaining about the state of my foundations". I have copies of the emails containing this information which I requested through Freedom of information. 2 years on and my plumbing and drainage has collapsed flooding my crawlspace and my walls are cracking and making noises. Paths have sunken down and brickwork covered in efflorescence. I turned my water off 3 weeks ago. I am absolutely terrified my home will collapse. I've sent a complaint to the water company and they are going to investigate but should I appoint my own structural engineer? Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

OP posts:
KievLoverTwo · 07/08/2024 10:47

Do you have legal cover with your buildings insurance? I would call them.

friendlycat · 07/08/2024 22:08

You need to contact your house insurance/buildings insurance company.

Unfortunately the water board companies are useless. We have had previous problems with water board on external pipes.

Engagebrain · 08/08/2024 07:48

friendlycat · 07/08/2024 22:08

You need to contact your house insurance/buildings insurance company.

Unfortunately the water board companies are useless. We have had previous problems with water board on external pipes.

The water company have now told me it was my choice to go down the insurance route and I could have had the repair done more quickly if I'd used my own plumber. I believed I was following the correct procedure because I informed the insurance immediately and used their preferred contractor as I was told that if I didn't the repairs wouldn't be guaranteed by the insurance company! The damage I have now is 100% both their faults imho. Thank you for your reply.

OP posts:
friendlycat · 08/08/2024 09:50

Sorry I hadn't read your initial post properly. I'm sorry you are having these difficulties.

Incidentally we used a private plumber/drains specialist in the end as well to sort out our issue. Auger who were sent out via the insurance company were useless even though they came out twice and said they had resolved the issue. They hadn't.

Yours does sound rather serious. What are the insurance company saying about this? Can you urgently get somebody in who specialises in drains and plumbing? Telephone a structural engineer and ask if this is something they can help with?

Good luck with it all.

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