RESULTANT DAMAGES CLAIM

ASSESSMENT

Black Bird Construction was contacted by the client’s insurance company to assess and conduct repair work. An assessment took place at the client’s property in Royal Ascot, where various items were inspected and a quotation was then generated and accepted by the insurer and client. Below is a breakdown of what transpired during the claim and excerpts of the assessor’s findings have been included as a means to explain the various building work required to repair the damages. The scope of work has also been included along with photos of the damages before and after the repairs were completed. We hope you enjoy the post and if you would like to learn more about Black Bird Construction please feel free to contact us.

REPORT

Burst Pipe Repairs:

The burst pipe has been dealt with. I met with my plumbing team on site and I can confirm that the pipe was emitting a substantial amount of water. When they identified the leak water was spraying out from the puncture. The plumbing team conducted a bypass and created/established a new water supply to the kitchen area. The affected pipeline is no longer emitting water and has successfully been repaired. I have been to assess the client’s home and I have put together a breakdown of the resultant damages affecting the client’s property below:

Resultant Damages:

Cupboards | Carpentry works:

The cupboards positioned under the sink are in a very bad condition. Due to the continual water from the burst pipe flowing towards the lower sections of the cupboard base, the cupboards are on the verge of collapsing with the base clearly bending due to the weight above – see attached photos.
I pointed this out to the client and explained that she should rather avoid placing heavy items on the counter top for the time being.
We will need to remove and replace the cupboard in this area to bring it back to a usable condition.
Currently the BICs unit is warped, sagging and the granite slab sitting on top is running the risk of cracking.
Trying to match the material with the existing won’t be possible either as the BICs unit is pretty old.
We need to try to salvage the granite top before further damages occur.
We will need to disconnect the plumbing work and reconnect later once the BICs have been fully installed and all the other repairs to the BICs have been completed.
There are quadrants in the area that will need to be replaced. This goes for the skirting boards as well.

Paintwork (All areas – Kitchen, garage and living room):

There are three areas in the home that have been badly affected by the water emitted by the burst pipe. These areas include the kitchen pantry/wash area (where the burst occurred), the garage which is back to back with the kitchen and the adjacent entranceway into the house.
All of the damaged walls will need to be prepped and thereafter painted.

Flooring:

The client had vinyl flooring installed some time ago throughout the home and it is still in great condition.
Thankfully the water emitted from the burst pipe did not damage the flooring. However, I am concerned about the adhesive under the flooring planks. I think the amount of water that bled under the planks may have caused the flooring planks to dislodge in certain areas. Again, the boards looked fine but an amount should be made available for contingencies. Latent damages may arise/occur.

Drying:

A dehumidifier will need to be placed at the affected property as soon as possible.
As mentioned above, the area is very damp and needs to dry thoroughly before commencing with any of the repairs.
We will only be able to proceed with the repair works once the area has fully dried.
I have not included the price for this in the attached quotation.
Once we are able to proceed with the repairs I will then provide a quotation for the drying works.

Unforseen Damages:

Electrical:

There are electrical points that may need attending to while we are present on site.
It was not clear if the electrical works in the area

Granite countertop:

There is a major concern regarding the counter top in the washing area.
The BICs unit has lost its stability and has begun to deteriorate subsequently sinking. This is due to the boards making up the BICs absorbing a massive amount of moisture.
This ultimately leads to the granite to sag and form a hairline crack if left for too long.
If the above occurs, the tiled splashback above the counter will may suffer further damages. The affected tiles may need to be replaced if damaged.

NOTE: Return site visit | Latent damages:

We may need to include an allowance for a return trip to the client’s property in the coming months.
This is due to the nature of these types of damages causing prolonged blistering after a long period of time.

SCOPE OF WORKS

BELOW IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE REPAIR WORK CONDUCTED TO THE RESULTANT DAMAGES AT THE AFFECTED PROPERTY:

Kitchen scullery BICs (Built in cupboard) repairs:

Due to the severity of the damages many of the cupboard’s components, such as the; rear panel, bases, doors, kick panels, etc. have been severely affected. We will need to disassemble the affected built-in cupboards (BICs) and replace all affected panels/components.
Disconnect and remove all plumbing works.
Disassemble affected cupboards.
Remove damaged components from site.
Test moisture levels with moisture meter.
Supply and fit/replace damaged components including all trims.
Assemble BICs as per previous cupboards.
Reconnect plumbing works – sink, trap, mixer, washing machine, etc.
NOTE: We will need to place a dehumidifier in the affected area and allow for absorption of any remaining moisture in affected walls and floor.

NOTE: Granite countertop:

There is a major concern regarding the countertop in the washing area.
The BICs unit has lost its stability and has begun to deteriorate subsequently sinking. This is due to the boards making up the BICs absorbing a massive amount of moisture.
This ultimately leads to the granite to sag and form a hairline crack if left for too long.
If the above occurs, the tiled splashback above the counter will may suffer further damages. The affected tiles may need to be replaced if damaged.

Carpentry works | Skirting boards:

The skirting boards have been badly waterlogged and will need to be removed, sanded, repainted and refitted.
Remove existing skirting boards.
Fill, sand and prep for paint application works.
Apply a priming coat.
Apply 2 coats of matching enamel paint as per existing.

Carpentry work | Quadrants:

Quadrants connected to the skirting boards have been very badly damaged. These trims will need to be replaced.
Remove existing trims.
Supply and fit new trims.
Trims to match existing floor as close as possible as per existing.
Higher rate used to accommodate for all of the cutting work involved.

Carpentry work | Exterior door:

Exterior door has been damaged by the water flowing from the burst.
Affected door to be planed at the base and prepped for sealer application.
Door’s surface to be sanded and recoated with a matching sealer.
2 coats to be applied to door throughout – end to end application.

Interior paintwork (All affected walls – kitchen, living room):

Once the cupboard has been removed, the rear wall (behind the existing BICs) will be inspected, allowed to dry as well and thereafter painted.
Fill, sand and prep kitchen and living room walls.
Apply 2 coats of high-quality washable paint to all affected walls.
Paint to be applied from corner to corner to ensure a high-quality finish.
Colour code to be provided by the client.
We have included an allowance for a return trip to the client’s property in the coming months. This is due to the nature of these types of damages causing prolonged blistering after a long period of time.
Higher rate used to cover paint material costs.

Garage walls: