No plug on boss connection = leak & smells

[Newbuildhelp]

Purchased a new build Flat 2.5 years ago and since start I've complained to the builders about smell from ensuite (wet room) they have been fairly dismissive however had sent plumbers 5-6 x that have found "no issue"

Last week had large leak and after plumber I contacted made hole in cupboard wall (adjacent to wet room) he's found that communal soil pipe has a boss connection prepared for a shower and the boss connector has no plug.

I had a wet room set up and installation by the builders.

So water has been leaking out behind the wall and tiled wet room for 2 years + now.

Think the larger leak was then caused by drains blocking.

My question is how does this happen? And should this not have been picked up during the Building Regulations report/certificate? Should these communal soil pipes be tested for pressure at start?

Builders saying I'm outside my 2 year builder warranty and not being very helpful.

 

[Riley]

You’ve been going back to them re the smell I trust you have proof of this??

 

[Newbuildhelp]

You’ve been going back to them re the smell I trust you have proof of this??

Yes. thankfully

 

[Riley]

Well I would approach them with this saying you made initial contact well within the allotted timescale. Because they weren’t able to find a fault didn’t mean there wasn’t one. Take pictures of everything and document everything.

 

[Chuck]

Builders saying I'm outside my 2 year builder warranty and not being very helpful.

Consult your solicitor about sending them a letter of claim based on your rights under contract law, which give you up to seven years to claim for inherently faulty work of this type. It's not unusual for small builders to incorrectly believe that their limited warranty is the last word and it comes as a very nasty surprise to them when they discover what the real position is.

 

[Newbuildhelp]

Thanks both for replies.

Is there some pressure test that they have potentially not done or passed?

 

[Scott_D]

You can test soil stacks

 

[Riley]

All the pipework could have been pressure tested but there could have been a cap in there or something

 

[WC1]

Your home insurance might be able to help with legal aspects of this, often legal advice is thrown in (possibly to prevent the claim coming back to the insurer?) Might want to check your policy.

 

[robdog6000]

Is there some pressure test that they have potentially not done or passed?[/QUOTE]

You are quite right. The stacks should have all had an air test carried out. It may be worth asking for evidence that this has been done.