Plumber Problem

[consumernewbie]

Hi,
I was just hoping for some advice.
Plumber recently installed bathroom into my brothers place. However his poor plumbing resulted in a water pipe bursting 2 weeks later and flooding the entire house. Damage is to walls, floors, carpets!!!
The problem is the plumber is not insured!
What would be my brothers course of action from here?
He doesnt want to really sue the decorator (as the decorator has kindly offered to fix the pipe and re-install the bathroom) however he doesn't really want to stump up 2000 pounds for new carpets and floor boards!

Any help appreciated, and no sarky comments please (i am a newbie!!!)
Thanks

 

[Puddle]

not sure why you would want to sue decorator,maybe for not using water proof paint
however obviously you have not learnt any lessons after all thats happened you are getting a decorator to do plumbing
your brother should claim on house contents insurance and let them sort it out
can not claim for leak but can for all damage caused

 

[newbie1]

a leak that occurs weeks later is hard to prove..the plumber can easilly claim it was watertight when i left someone has done work since and disturbed fitting
you can only really guarantee you work until you leave
same as mot that proves car at time of mot was compliant not 2 weeks later

 

[Winston]

Why oh why do business with someone who isnt insured! When you obtain quotes its one of the questions you should be asking as well as seeing past work. And references, and the quote should be fully explanitary as to what is being done.

 

[consumernewbie]

LOL,..my mistake,...i meant the plumber (forget the decorator comment!) had come back and offered to re-fix.

And it also wasnt exactly a leak,...more a full blown pipe burst (to which the plumber admitted wasnt fitted properly) flooding the house with up to half a foot of water (my bro was away from the house for a few days hence the level of flooding).
Finally can't actually claim this on his house insurance as it was assessed by the insurers as being the plumbers mistake!

 

[dontknowitall]

Surely that's what house insurance is for? - Apart from the insurance companies to feed the fat cats of course.

Presumably if an uninsured driver crashed into a house they'd then say it was the car driver's mistake.

 

[bobpape]

Exactly what did the plumber do wrong,

Technically in my opinion your insurance is liable because they have agreed to take on the risk of accidental damage occurring in your home, so they should pay out and try to get the money back from your plumber,

Most of the time it all depends on how good an argument you come up with and how
much of a nuisance you become.

 

[Puddle]

you can only really guarantee you work until you leave

or till the cheque clears



If only life was so simple

 

[consumernewbie]

Unfortunately he didnt have accidental damage insurance,....just the standard.

And to he who quoted "you can only guarantee your work till you leave".....I guess you wouldn't really expect a car mechanic to say the same to you when he fixes your brakes! That's such a throw away comment! Your work really should be able to last through past a week and a half at the least!!!

Anyway, thanks for reading and commenting all.

 

[traineedrip]

as asked what did he do wrong?

 

[Winston]

I guarantee my work wherever possible for 12months anything extra is if the manufactuer has this facility and the customer has registered there product ie shower tap that sort of thing. Funny really I had a customer who I fitted taps for early part of the year rang me the other day to inform me they had broken.

Down the merchants I go get replacement and fit, customer how much do I owe you the answer is clear nowt. Goods and service recieved should be fit for purpose.

 

[flat pack]

When i finish some works I told my clients keep an eye out some times the rads need adjusting or some time nuts need nutting within a week or two
call me if need be.
some people turn their water off when going away epecially after a new installations

bit of bad luck on both sides not the right insurance and no insurance at all
In this World the only insurance is brother/you ,"what if i get a leak when i am on my holiday" i know i will turn the water off simply and logical.

 

[migoplumber]

winston, i like your attitude a lot. you will go far in this "fraught with danger" pluimbing world.

 

[Plouasne]

Where I am its 2 years guarantee, for a repair or alteration, and 10 years for new work

 

[Phil]

I was told that a good plumber will flood a house in his career, a bad plumber will flood ten.

 

[newbie1]

Unfortunately he didnt have accidental damage insurance,....just the standard.

And to he who quoted "you can only guarantee your work till you leave".....I guess you wouldn't really expect a car mechanic to say the same to you when he fixes your brakes! That's such a throw away comment! Your work really should be able to last through past a week and a half at the least!!!

Anyway, thanks for reading and commenting all.

well yes if your brakes are fully functional and you drive away and they are fully functional and doing the job for which they are designed how can someone be liable for their condition 2 weeks later after maybe you have had a track day and mullered them or hit a kerb etc etc
now the plumber admitted his mistake thats a different matter but as ever there are 2 sides and if someone does some work for you and then you mess around with it a lot of people will lie and say no i havnt touched it its your fault so they dont have to pay
some companies get you to sign you are happy with the work and only cover breakdown or failure of a component
maybe a bit more info about what pipe where burst/compression fitting/soldered fitting/location etc and common sense actually is to turn water off when leaving a property for a period of time

 

[Winston]

I would agree with turning the water off after what I saw earlier in the year! Guy and his family gone on holiday ball float valve had failed, trouble is the plumber who fitted overflow hadnt checked it! Instead of water going through the overflow the water cascaded down the tank

Poor guy returns from his holiday not a single ceiling upstairs, but a very nice water feature coming down the stairs.

 

[david williams]

As plumbers you should all know where you stand regarding your liability for your work.if you have signed a contract with your client ,you can be held responsible for bad workmanship bad design and materials you have supplied for up to six years.check with your insurence comp

 

[Bernie2]

Hmm!

I think the law says Goods and services, supplied should be of merchantable quality.

If your new telly blew up within twelve months you would take it back. Your supplying a service so they can get you back.

Its a bit of a minefield actually but have a look at the trades description act. Its interesting and not as straight forward as it may seem after six months.

A a rule though, like new houses everybody should give a twelve month guarantee and an extended one on products that have extended guarantees, which usually means you calling the manufacturers out.

That is why you install their way, not yours.

Do it your own way and it can void their guarantee, but leaves you probably having to make up for it

 

[Muscle750]

I wouldnt have them back i would take them straight to court and sue end of plus your house insurance want also wising up go to the regs authority or watchdog or some "free press advertising" also give the plumber some as well before he wrecks other peoples houses

 

[Jason.S]

I have just found out that Bristan products have a 3 year guarantee!!

Woot!

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

I have my little bristan brochure here and the guarantee is 5 years for most stuff

Ive used it with some customer as well