Advice Burst Pipe Unit

• 

  Meho2026 on 02/01/2020 - 13:39

  +1

  Same thing happened to me, the strata manager got the strata insurance company involved straightaway. The unit was inspected first then they repaired everything. I didnt have to do anything.

  They replaced a door architrave, replastered a ceiling beam, repaired electrical and replaced down lights and repainted the whole unit.
  My kitchen was old too and it was the second flood, the extent of the damage didnt appear until it dried out weeks and months later, the wood filling in the units seemed to expand as they dried and the laminate edges came off the cupboard doors. I didnt claim on that because it didnt seem any worse than it already was but now its a disaster and the whole thing needs replaced.

  I didnt have carpets but the unit above did and they tried to dry them out with industrial fans first but I think in the end they were replaced because they were virtually new.

  I dont think youre supposed to start replacing and fixing anything until the insurance assessor has inspected.

  Get everything you can out of the strata insurer before you claim on your own policy. The strata insurer did put up a bit of a fight at the start but I was really aggressive and I think a unique additional problem.

  • 

    Misspollyhadadolly on 02/01/2020 - 16:09

    It sounds like you were looked after. How fast did they attend to the repairs?

    • 

      Meho2026 on 03/01/2020 - 07:44

      They started about 2 weeks after the flood but it took them weeks to finish because it involved different contractors

• 

  hoey888 on 02/01/2020 - 13:56

  +1

  Depending on how the policy is worded for your insurance company.

  Generally for flood damage the insurer would send a flood restoration team. Usually this would involve removing affected water/carpets/underlay. Installing air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the property. This is important as it will reduce the likelihood of mould building up. If its starting to smell, that's usually a bad sign as bacteria has been built up. Usually this takes up to a couple of weeks depending on how on much water is absorbed in building and subfloors.

  If your carpets have water wood stains on them its likely insurer will need to replace the carpet of affected room. (don't tell insurers i mentioned this)

  Source: Previously worked for an Insurer sending out tradesmen dealing with issues like this.

• 

  Evoque10 on 02/01/2020 - 15:19

  +1

  The first thing you need to do is to consult your strata about the damage.
  Then the strata will contact the insurer, send a loss adjuster and they will take care everything from there.

  Also carpet is part of content insurance therefore you will contact your content insurer, they will as well send a loss adjuster and let them take care from there.
  The loss adjuster will send the flood specialist to inspect/dry out the floor.

  One thing to note is that both insurers will most likely try to toss things out each others' way. (basically trying to make the other insurer pay for most of the fixing)

  You most likely dont have to do anything except for being there when the inspection happen.

• 

  Misspollyhadadolly on 02/01/2020 - 15:51

  OK well I have been told by both content and Strata insurer seperately that an assessor will not be sent out I even rang multiple times as I had no idea where to start with all the damage as every room was flooded. Its obviously happened this time of year and hardly anyone could come out. I have a quote for carpets same day and plumber came out to isolate the problem plumbing on the day (not fixed). I had a quote to dry the 15 year old carpets for $2000 which is a lot considering it was hot water and carpets may have shrank already so was only a chance it could be saved so didn't bother. The smell was awful so I removed it all myself as I was worried about walls too. Both companies gave me a claim number and said to get quotes, I even rang before pulling it all out and they said do what you need to do. I'll hear after the 6th about my claims.. Sounds like an assessor should have come out.. Carpet quote is $4000 already not including anything else

  • 

    Meho2026 on 03/01/2020 - 07:53

    +1

    Dont tell the insurance company your carpets were 15 years old. Carpets are considered to depreciate and after 10 years are worth nothing.
    Its like crashing a 15 year old car, the insurance company wont give you the value of a brand new car.

• 

  whooah1979 on 02/01/2020 - 16:31

  if mould starts to form later on.

  How old is the unit and is it double brick?

  • 

    Misspollyhadadolly on 02/01/2020 - 16:52

    It's brick veneer and 30 years old.