Brand new fresh hell. Massive hidden leak, whole kitchen floor and cabinets coming out. ARGGHHH

[Piffle]

Had one or two cracked tiles
So got chap in to quote for new floor.
He said
I reckon you've got a leak
Call insurance
Did
Called out plumber
Yes massive long term slow leak from dishwasher (4 yrs old)
Call out assessors
Yep bad very bad, that's rotten in fact
Dehumidifiers are in, floor is drying and huge gaps appearing.
Today are told we may need to move out as whole kitchen floor and subfloor is coming out, damp proof course has been breached
And as we are in radon gas area, we may have to move out
Oh and they need to cut sections out of every downstairs room - toilet/dining/study/hall/livingroom

House in not yet 5 yrs old.

I have a visually impaired 5 yr old, a newly toddling 13 mth old.
this is hell
Anyone else?
I know some of you have had flood damage and I know this is small cheese in comparison.

But arrghhh

Oh blimey. Poor, poor you. Don't know if moving out or staying put would be more awkward.

Oh gawd poor you
This happened to us, the insurance company paid for us to move out

Maybe you could look on the bright side - you will be able to choose a nice new floor and kitchen

It is blinking disruptive though

CD they threaten to put the old kitchen back in
It is painted, it will wreck the painted tiles, half of the units are glued (not us previous owners don't ask)
I know half the wall is going to come off when they take them out

I'm just hacked off as may get little say in what goes in afterwards
GRRR

oh and we are getting a loss adjuster
?? what do they do then huh?

Your insurers should pay for you to move out (into reasonable accomodation - if it'll take a while, rental of a house of the same size would be a reasonable request, plus removal/packing and storage if necessary)

Speak to your loss adjuster about it - BIL and family are moving back home next week having been in a rented house since last August following flooding. SIL has been very positive about it as they have had new floors all downstairs, replastered, new kitchen etc, and took the opportunity to have the house rewired and bathrooms done whilst they weren't there.

If you need any help, DH is a chartered insurer and very good on property claims and guiding through the process.

Oh God Piffle - poor you!

thanks cmot
moving out would be horrendous tbh
it depends on how long the upheaval will be I guess any more than 2 weeks and we'd have to.
there is actually a house in out street To Let atm exactly same as ours
Not sure about protocol though!

How likely is it that we'll get a new kitchen?
I'd had my heart set on one from John Lewis we were saving for next year and am just worried that they bung in any old thing?
do we get any say are we allowed to offer more money to ask for different things?

It depends on the wording of your insurance policy
You need to talk to them about it

Some policies specify new for old so you should be getting a new kitchen if so

Are you underinsured?
They will take this into account if so

Who are you insured with?

Nationwide underwritten by Churchill
Not under insured as it comes under buildings - if it was contents it'd be a different issue though, we've amended that now.
Also it may still be partially claimable under the NHBC if the sub floor has been breached.
Bureaucracy ARRGHHH

If your cupboards were damaged by the escape of water, or are damaged when they come off the walls because of the floor coming out, then they will replace them - you can either choose through their suppliers or they will tell you the value of the units, and you can buy your own, topping up with your own money.

The wall cupboards (unless damp had got that far up) wouldn't be covered, but if they have to replace the bottom ones, you are entitled to up to 50% of their estimated cost of replacing them, under something called 'treating the customer fairly' that the Financial services Ombudsman decided on - DH wrote Rosegarden a long post about it on her escape of water thread, and by quoting that, she got a contribution.

Loss adjuster would be able to give you some timeframes, and tell you about the alternative accomodation provision.

ok but as units are painted that means any others will not match
or does this not matter a fig to them?
would seriously devalue the house - although I guess we could afford to replace all the wall cupboards in the near future

have read those threads cmot
what a good dh you have, he is very helpful and kind.

Paperchain is going through a similar problem right now. If anyone can help with her query here, I know she will be most grateful.

She has had her kitchen ripped out and the last I heard the electricity had been turned off so she can't respond here but I can pass on any messages.

He is very concerned to make sure that people get what they are entitled to, and gets very angry about poor service from insurers. These days he does multimillion pound property claims, which means its very hands on, but has been through motor and household in the past.

BTW Piffle, having spoken to Paperchain on the phone just now and told her you are going through the same thing as her, she said when her power is reconnected and she can get on the internet, she will find this thread and share some details with you. She has exactly the same problem except that her leak came from a water pipe under the house I believe.

we think ours came fromdishwasher. Not 100% certain though.
Paperchain situation is dire. Left in limbo like that

Hi Piffle

Sounds like a pretty bad leak you've had - I have to say that it more likely to be months than weeks before everything is fixed - Leaks that have gone on for a long time are always difficult to dry properly and there is likely to be lots more disruption before things get better.

I presume from your comment that no specific sum insured is mentioned for buildings on your policy schedule? If that's the case then there is no limit to the amount you can claim for alternative accommodation (I read the Nationwide policy wording on line)so you have no worries on that front. Explain your situation to the adjuster and make sure what he offers meets your needs.

Again, as I've mentioned on other threads I happy to provide advice if you have anything specific you need answered.

Mr cmotdibbler

thanks mr cmot! No, only sum mentioned/specified is the rebuild value.
I fear the months rather than weeks, it will be mega upheaval. Even the dehumidifier now is loud and a space thief!
I just do not wish to be mucked around by the insurer but so far so good. We are communicating with homeserve and chemdry and they have been fabulous for info and detail... And calling back when they say they will.
really appreciate your input Mr Cmot, having read archive threads too. Am armed!
cheers

quick update. Drying company came back for 2 week check after drying equipment being in situ for 16 days. Dryer appalled tiles still not pulled up. Read riot act and ta da loss adjuster just appointed.
am clueless as to what happens next. Pray this does not drag on. Dd already tripped and hurt herself on the chipped tiles twice. She is visually impaired.
nightmare really

Ring the loss adjuster and ask for a plan - emphasise your special circumstances re DD and the potential for injury.

I can point DH over to you if you need support.

loss adjuuster booked for appt next tuesday.
Will ask for action plan then!
thanks cmot and mr, you're really great helps!

I asked DH, and he advised that you look into houses for rent in your area and get an idea of cost, so that if they say that its going to take a while you can ask them to authorise the alternative accomodation there and then. He also thinks that they should be coming out to see you rather faster than next Tuesday, esp given the potential for injury to your DD in the current living conditions.

yes well that is an urgent appt apparently ...
its not so bad. Dd is just keeping shoes on and keeping away. Ds2 is indestructible it seems
I hate not knowing...