My builder flooded my house - help!

[ls84]

I have posted this elsewhere on the forum so apologies for repeating myself.

Hello

I'm a new poster but have been visiting the diy not forums for some time now for general useful advice. I am very sorry for this long winded story but I am very worried and would really like some advice.

Our builder is in the process of installing our first floor bathroom, as part of some ongoing work on our house renovation. Yesterday the cold water pipe running to the bath developed a VERY bad leak leading to the eventual collapse of the ceiling below and further flooding the room. We rang the builder as soon as we arrived at the house and he came over and admitted liability and said he would sort everything out.

I would be very grateful if someone who knows what they are talking about could verify that what he is planning to do is ok.

He is planning to pull the remaining ceiling down today (thursday) and pull up the carpet below and put in a dehumidifier until Monday, when he will begin to erect a new ceiling. Considering the joists are soaked, to me this doesn't sound like long enough to dry the room but I might well be wrong. Also, the water has spread a little to the walls in the room. The plaster might be ok but I don't want to have problems with cracking/staining further down the line - especially when it was not our doing.

Regarding the floor (concrete ground floor) - it is soaked and so what should be done with it?

I would be so grateful if someone could either put my mind at rest or tell me to stop him in his tracks before he causes us more problems!

Kind regards

ls84

 

[AlanE]

Can't see what else he can do if he tried.

Until the ceiling is down and carpet up difficult to say how long it would take to dry out but probably not that long once air can circulate.

 

[bengasman]

You can put in a new ceiling if the joists are still damp, accidents happen, and he admitted it was his fault, what more do you want?

 

[Richard C]

I think you are very right to be concerned but it's difficult to judge properly without seeing the extent of water damage & how much water penetration there is. If the water has caused the ceiling to collapse then the joists may well be soaked through &, depending on how wet they are, I wouldn’t be putting up new boards or even attempt plastering them for at least 2 weeks; possible 4 weeks if it’s bad. If it’s done too early, it will crack all to hell & back as the joists dry out & contract. New ceiling boards could probably be fitted sooner & left unplastered but this will inevitably prolong the drying out time.

Accidents happen and, fair do’s, he’s admitted he was at fault but what I would expect is for it ALL to be put right correctly, not a quick make over & scarper after a week. If the water damage is significant, I would advise extreme caution; have you checked he has public liability insurance?

 

[BingoBongo]

count yourself lucky he isnt invoicing you for a downstairs shower/wetroom /swimming pool

 

[gregers]

and also bear in mind its your electricity he will be using when he plugs in the dehumidifyer.

 

[bengasman]

and also bear in mind its your electricity he will be using when he plugs in the dehumidifyer.

Small price for a new ceiling, provided it is done properly.

 

[gregers]

that depends on how long its got to be on for?

 

[bengasman]

Price of average ceiling is about average year's leccy bill, I doubt it will be that long

 

[Richard C]

Price of average ceiling is about average year's leccy bill, I doubt it will be that long

I doubt that; but he ****ed ed it up in the first place so why should the OP pay!

 

[bengasman]

If my neighbour dented my car and was honest enough to tell me, I wouldn't ask him to pay for a rental car when mine was in the garage for a day.
How much is the whole dehumidifier bill gonna be? Tenner?

 

[Richard C]

If my neighbour dented my car and was honest enough to tell me, I wouldn't ask him to pay for a rental car when mine was in the garage for a day.
How much is the whole dehumidifier bill gonna be? Tenner?

Probably more than a tenner but, in any case, a tenner is a tenner why should he have to pay it; I'd be wanting more than that for the bloody inconvenience!

 

[Deleted member 105431]

Are you one of those ppl who injure themselves, blame someone else and put a no win no fee claim in? Sounds like it.

What do you want-blood?!

 

[bengasman]

Deyoubloodyfier?

 

[namsag]

Had a customer write in and ask for money back fpr electricty the hoover had used during a service another wanted reimbursed for the gas used during soundness test