| Since most home owners insurance policies don't | | | | expensive and present it to the insurance company. |
| cover the cost ofrepairs few people think to check | | | | Two repair scenarios were proposed. |
| with them when plumbing problemsoccur. Although | | | | The first project would involved having the plumbing |
| they may not cover the repair, they will usually cover | | | | contractor find the leak under the living room slab, |
| the value of damaged property including cleaning up | | | | repair the drain pipe, and then replace the concrete |
| after the repair. The scope of this type of project is | | | | and flooring to clean up after the project. As would be |
| typically not a diy plumbing repair project so you will | | | | expected the estimate for this repair was on the high |
| want to find any way you can to help pay for it. | | | | side ($4000+ by the time all the cleanup work would |
| A few years ago I had the misfortune of finding water | | | | have been completed). |
| seeping through a wall in my basement one spring. | | | | The second repair was considerably less intrusive - |
| First this was blamed on a very wet season. Next, | | | | they would cap off the existing drain line (kitchen only) |
| when dry weather came around and the leak was still | | | | and re-route it through the joist's in the basement and |
| there a basement waterproofing contractor was | | | | re-connect it to the main line outside the house. The |
| called in. It was no suprise when this contractor | | | | only "heavy" work in this proposal was cutting a 6 inch |
| informed me that I had ground water and needed their | | | | hole in the exterior wall and digging a trench to run the |
| expensive services. Since the company had a vested | | | | new pipe to be reconnected. The remainder of the |
| interest in me believing this they did not seem to feel | | | | work amounted to a fairly simple plumbing repair. The |
| the need to offer any other possible explanation. | | | | net cost for this repair was about half the first |
| Based on the fact that the remaining 95% of the | | | | proposal |
| basement walls had no such problem a third opinion | | | | With both of these proposals on hand, the insurance |
| was in order. | | | | company had no problem in justifying payment for the |
| Based on the proximity of the leak to the primary | | | | FULL SECOND OPTION (less deductable of course). |
| kitchen drain pipes a third contractor was called. After | | | | The insurance company saved money, the home |
| a short examination, the plumbing contractor was able | | | | owner saved money, and the repair was |
| to determine that the kitchen drain pipe was leaking | | | | accomplished within 2 days with a minimum of cleanup |
| (not where we could access it easily of course but | | | | required. |
| behind a cinder block wall under a concrete slab). | | | | This entire project demonstrated the value of a good |
| The plumbing contractor then made an unexpected | | | | plumbing contractor. They were able to quickly identify |
| suggestion - call my insurance company before | | | | the problem, propose multiple solutions, and help justify |
| starting the repair. That was when he explained that | | | | the payment by the insurance company. |
| the company would not pay for the repair, but they | | | | This repair also demonstrated the value of a insurance |
| would pay for the cost of jack hammering up my living | | | | company. The insurance company was willing to |
| room, hall, and/or office floor to find the leak and | | | | accept and pay for an alternative solution as well as |
| cleaning up afterwards. He was also able to suggest | | | | inform the home owner of all the valid expenses that |
| an alternative solution that was cleaner and much less | | | | should be recorded for reimbursement. |