Leaking waterpipe causing subsidence?

[Dutchcloggie]

I have bought a house last month and this evening I noticed water polling around a damaged drain at the back on the house. Closer inspection has revealed a slow leak from a water supply pipe. Looks like it's been leaking for years. It looks like soil has been washed away underneath the house as I can see a void. I think insurance won't cover the repair of the leak itself, but would standard building insurance cover the damage and possible repair underneath the house????

 

[jj4091]

If you can't find it in terms and conditions of your policy then ring and ask them.

 

[Dutchcloggie]

Fair enough

 

[noseall]

I have bought a house last month and this evening I noticed water polling around a damaged drain at the back on the house. Closer inspection has revealed a slow leak from a water supply pipe. Looks like it's been leaking for years. It looks like soil has been washed away underneath the house as I can see a void. I think insurance won't cover the repair of the leak itself, but would standard building insurance cover the damage and possible repair underneath the house????

What has subsided?

 

[Dutchcloggie]

The extension has a crack in the wall that the survey deemed not structural. Yet it is right above the drain and broken water pipe. I can see that the leaking water has been flowing backwards underneath the house and there is a visible good leading back under the wall. I can only assume that a large amount of soil underneath the extension has already been washed away.

 

[noseall]

I can only assume that a large amount of soil underneath the extension has already been washed away.

That depends on the make-up of the floors.

 

[HERTS P&D]

What did the survey say?

Andy

 

[Wayners]

Doubt there is any comeback on survey.
It's just a survey and offen not much benefit.
Depends on T&C's.
Insurance won't cover that. It's not accidental damage. More a case of turning a blind eye.

You need to fix leak and see how it dries out
Maybe get ground workers to look at it. Local builder. Needs digging out and concrete pumping in..

You may have to dig out internally.

 

[Dutchcloggie]

How does insurance not cover damage from an undiscovered leak??? She only bought the house last month and obviously there was no indication of anything.

 

[noseall]

How does insurance not cover damage from an undiscovered leak??? She only bought the house last month and obviously there was no indication of anything.

What damage?

 

[Dutchcloggie]

What damage?

Fair enough. I mean the hole under the building where soil was washed away that potentially needs filling? The ground around the area has also dropped a fair bit so it needs investigating fully. If it needs remedial works, that is insurance surely?

 

[noseall]

Fair enough. I mean the hole under the building where soil was washed away that potentially needs filling? The ground around the area has also dropped a fair bit so it needs investigating fully. If it needs remedial works, that is insurance surely?

I wouldn’t involve the insurance unless you really need to. A friendly builder maybe, first? If not pay for an independent structural survey.

 

[Dutchcloggie]

I wouldn’t involve the insurance unless you really need to. A friendly builder maybe, first? If not pay for an independent structural survey.

Can I ask why you wouldn't involve insurance? If it costs more than £1,000, there is no real cash to fix things...

 

[noseall]

Can I ask why you wouldn't involve insurance? If it costs more than £1,000, there is no real cash to fix things...

You might jeopardise your premium for nothing. What is the actual problem. What is the makeup of the floor?

 

[Dutchcloggie]

You might jeopardise your premium for nothing. What is the actual problem. What is the makeup of the floor?

Can't tell yet. Need to have that investigated fully first. I am just gathering information so we know how much we need to panic about where the money is going to come from. The investigations themselves will cost money as well but that's just tough luck.