Converted cellar now smells, help

[Adrian130980]

Hi

I have owned a Victorian terraced house for 7 years, it has a great converted cellar with 3 rooms. The front one has been kitted out as an office with lovely built in desk and storage

My cellar now smells and I have had to move everything from the cellar to the other room as it is ridden

It started about 6 months ago after the electric company dug up my drive to replace the old wiring!

I think they have damaged the gutter down pipe which is directly outside the area affected!

What should I do as the desk etc is also damp now!

Thanks

Adrian

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

If you suspect a pipe is damaged then it needs to be repaired, however proving the electric company caused the damage may be more difficult!

 

[tony1851]

I think they have damaged the gutter down pipe which is directly outside the area affected!

What should I do as the desk etc is also damp now!

Thanks

Adrian

Repair the downpipe, and then get a new desk.

 

[Adrian130980]

Hi tony

Thanks for the reply but, it's not just a desk it's a whole office, at a cost to replace of approx £3000

I will be contacting the electric people and informing them of this situation

Thanks

Adrian

 

[noseall]

Below ground rooms always smell musty and are rarely free from damp.

Unless they are originally built or converted to an extremely high spec' (££££) then expect a damp musty environment.

Proving the electric company is liable will be difficult and costly.

 

[maltaron]

It may be worth contacting one of those "no win, no fee" lawyers. Utility firms often agree to a bit of compo' rather than go to court.

 

[Nige F]

Hi tony

Thanks for the reply but, it's not just a desk it's a whole office, at a cost to replace of approx £3000

I will be contacting My Household Insurance and informing them of this situation

Thanks

Adrian

That`s what you wanna do - otherwise , do you really want to battle a Privatised National ( foreign owned) Utility