Cold water deposit leak - call insurance?

akesha

Hi,

after a shower, I discovered humid wall and ceiling, so I went up to the attic and discovered a leak coming from the cold water deposit, already ruining part of the floor.

Should I call a plumber directly? Or do you think is best to call the insurance in this case? I have no idea how much would cost the repair... but obviously I have to do something tomorrow first thing in the morning.

Wearb

You do have an obligation to minimise the damage, so get the plumber out and also call your insurance company.

antoinolachtnai

If you can't get a plumber you need to stop water going to the tank, then drain the tank by running taps.

The leak could get a lot worse overnight.

On the other hand, if you stop the water, everything might just dry out and the damage might not be great.

akesha

Thanks for the replies. I couldn't get a plumber yet, I called the local one, he told me he was coming in the evening, but then he ignored me :mad:

We took a closer look, it is not the deposit itself, it is the pipe that fills the tank, so we are trying not to use much the cold water, no dishwasher, no showers, running the taps as little as we can, etc.

I will call another plumber today, lets see if I am lucky this time

antoinolachtnai

Have you turned off the water supplying this pipe?

akesha

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

Have you turned off the water supplying this pipe?

No, I dont know where the valve is. I dont know where the pipe is either, but we only see ceiling getting humid when we get a shower or running taps, and we can hear air coming from a pipe when the tank is filling.

antoinolachtnai

It is urgent that you turn off the water and leave it off until the plumber comes. Not

Can you turn off the water for the whole house?

akesha

antoinolachtnai wrote: »

It is urgent that you turn off the water and leave it off until the plumber comes. Not

Can you turn off the water for the whole house?

I dont know where that valve is either. Anyway the water is not leaking unless we use the cold water. So it is getting humid and then getting dry. I am sure that I will have to replace a little bit of the attic floor, but I hope to have the pipe sorted between today and tomorrow

coylemj

OP, it's very unlikely that yor insurance will cover the damage caused by the leak as it's something which has happened over time.

akesha

A plumber came to take a look this evening. Seems the problem is the expansion vessel, it needs a replacement. We will get a new one tomorrow.

@coylemj I dont understand what you are saying. What's the purpose of the home insurance then? Anyway, I won't call the insurance, I won't lose the no claim bonus if I can pay 400e to fix this.

antoinolachtnai

I would advise you find out from the plumber where the valves to close off the water are. It is really important to know this.

I assume this is the expansion vessel for the heating system? I would be concerned at whether the damage was as a result of frost. It is worth asking the plumber's view on this and if so whether the replacement might be better installed somewhere else

akesha

I learnt where the valves for cold water are, but the plumber maintained them open, as otherwise we won't have water in the taps.

I dont think the vessel is for the heating system, it is attached to the cold water tank. And if we close the valves, there are no cold water in the tap. I will ask him tomorrow about the possible cause, although I guess it could be wear and tear? I bought the house 2 years ago, but was built 14 years ago during the boom.