Plumber said it was OK to turn water on. £35K damage...

[chowett]

...and no insurance!

My brothers and myself had been working to get my mother's house up to scratch before selling it renting it out. My mother no longer lives there.

One of the biggest changes was the central heating system. New boiler in the loft and new rads around the entire house. Before the Job was signed off on, we asked if it was ok to turn the water on. He said it was, as long as someone was in the house. My brother turned it on and left the house for 8 hours. In this time, a valve broke and pushed out mains pressure. The boiler is in the loft... All ceilings out (only floorboards remain), no carpets, all walls need re-skinning, not to mention water damage to the brickwork

Depsite signing quotes etc, he had no liability insurance (something about missing a payment). Since the house was technically unoccupied while we where fixing it up it invalided our home insurance.

Before we go about alot of legal work, who would you say it as fault. My brother for turning it on or the Plumber for saying it was OK to turn it on?

Any help would be much appreicated!

 

[cumbriahandyman]

The plumber for not testing....

 

[denso13]

a valve broke

Which valve broke? A new one or an existing one?

 

[gremlin16]

Before the Job was signed off on, we asked if it was ok to turn the water on. He said it was, as long as someone was in the house. My brother turned it on and left the house for 8 hours

Before you start blaming the installer, read what you wrote.

Job not signed off = uncommissioned and probably not completed.

Brother turned water on not the plumber.

House left empty with water on and system seems to be un tested and uncomplete.

 

[picasso]

not sure from a legal stand point but you have to ask why your brother turned on the water and then left the house when the plumber said not to leave the house empty.

 

[mickyg]

no chance. but employing someone without liability ? oops

 

[Jordon]

Can I ask why you needed to turn the water on and then leave the home unattened? Sound like a insurance job, you got told not to leave the house with water on, you knew how to turn on to use it so why not switch it off when you left?? Don't mean to sound harsh and do feel for you loss but, feel it's more on your shoulders. IMHO

 

[xr4x4]

not sure from a legal stand point but you have to ask why your brother turned on the water and then left the house when the plumber said not to leave the house empty.

Exactly...

Tho I'm sure the op doesn't see it like that and most other people he knows.

 

[Rob_Quads]

.He said it was, as long as someone was in the house.

My brother turned it on and left the house for 8 hours.

No chance of claiming IMO

Sounds like most of the damage was caused by your brother going out and leaving the house un attended unforunately

 

[alan999]

An unfortunate story. Legally there would be problems proving the plumber said it was alright to turn the water on - it could end up in a his word against yours situation.
In any case thinking of it from a fairness point of view it could be argued the plumber is responsible for the first five minutes of damage (five minutes being the time it might take to turn the water back off when you realise there is a leak). The next 7 hours and fifty five minutes of damage would then be your brothers responsibility for leaving the house empty with the water on (by your own admission exactly what the plumber said not to do). I am thinking if the plumber had been insured his insurers might see it exactly this way.
I do not know how your own insurance policy works. I can understand that content insurance does not cover unoccupied properties but does building insurance work in the same way. If the policy was still being paid you must have been getting something for your money.
I hope you get some good news from somewhere.

 

[muggles]

Your brothers fault I'm afraid, I wouldn't go down the legal route as you'll just end up with a legal bill to go with your repair bill, there's no chance of getting any money out of your plumber for this one.

 

[big-all]

...and no insurance!

My brothers and myself had been working to get my mother's house up to scratch before selling it renting it out. My mother no longer lives there.

One of the biggest changes was the central heating system. New boiler in the loft and new rads around the entire house. Before the Job was signed off on, we asked if it was ok to turn the water on. He said it was, as long as someone was in the house. My brother turned it on and left the house for 8 hours

just a thought

was the plumber aware you meant the the mains to the heating or could he have thought you meant a tap or other source ??

 

[Agile]

It seems the plumber gave you very strict instructions.

Somewhere between you and your brother, he ended up turning in on and going out!

Sounds to me a if either you did not pass the information to your brother or if you did he acted wrongly and could be considered to blame for the consequences!

 

[Boilerman2]

As the job was NOT completed & Signed off, I suspect the Conversation with the plumber went something like this:
OP - I need the water on to do (xy or z)
Plumber - Er well SHOULD be alright, but I haven't tested yet so make sure you don't go out!

The water was turned on by OP's Bro- who then remembered he had to go to the Wholesaler to buy (a,b or c) leaving the impending disaster!!

Of course I could be wrong, but after 36 years I have seen it all!!

 

[gas112]

Really simple you tell the insurance company someone was staying/sleeping there every few days to keep an eye on the place no matter what condition the house is in with work being done. Keeps it within the 30 day no occupancy rule.


And yes it is your brothers fault