Underfloor leak

[orcades]

Hi,

We have recently put in an offer on a house in Elizabeth Downs outside Adelaide SA. We negotiated on a price and are happy with the final amount. However, after getting our building report back we found that there was a large amount of leakage from somewhere under the bathtub as the adjoining walls (bedrooms) were very damp (both from his moisture metre readings and from visible evidence on the walls) – amazing what you find behind beds and cupboards if you look! We have submitted an addendum to our contract which says that we will go ahead with the purchase if the vendor fixes the problem before settlement. They are not signing this until they have had their plumber look at the problem (I guess for quoting purposes). If they do not sign the addendum, the choice will be ours as to whether we go ahead with the purchase our pull the plug so to speak. Our building inspector (he did great job by the way if anybody needs a name) believes that the likely problem will be the original lead or galvantised underfloor piping is leaking and will need to be replaced. If they say no to fixing the problem and we go ahead with the purchase anyway we are worried that this might be a major job to fix, and with having to put the current tenants up somewhere while the concrete floor is dug up potentially quite expensive. Has anybody had a similar experience with a bathroom leak? Did it cost you a fortune? – We honestly have no idea what this kind of thing entails and we don't know any plumbers to ask! – Cheers.

 

[Bushy]

Orcades
Just a thought, the vendor might be able to claim it on their insurance so it will be no cost to either of you.
Regards Bushy

 

[Bargain Hunter]

The problem with having the vendor fix the problem is that you will not know if the problem is actually fixed until after you have bought. I would be more inclined to get a quote for the repair and reduce your offer by this amount as a minimum.

We have done this on a previous ocassion and ended up ahead.

Regards

Andrew

 

[willair]

IMHO..
A very simple way is to make sure all taps/ hws are off ,then check with
the water meter and see if yo still have a flow rate if the flow is high then
it will be a big problem,if it's low or nothing then it will be only a small leak
ask the vendors for a copy of the last rate notice and look at the water bill
that will tell the story..IMHO, The cost factor is very hard to quote ,but it
won't be lead pipework,maybe the old gal pipe which will rust up internally
in under 15 years,and if is is the gal system then you will have to replace
everything and that start,s at 4k for an normal size house, plus what ever
problems with the walls /frame/cladding/elec's..good luck willair..

 

[chrispy]

We had this problem with galv pipes in a concrete slab. Our solution was to re-lay new pipe around the outside of the house and block off the pipe laid in the slab. The internal pipes were fine as they were copper.

Chris

 

[orcades]

Pipes

Great thanks all – it doesn't sound like the end of the world from all the replies. Andrew, we are insisting on a Certificate of Compliance from the plumber and also requesting that our Building Inspector is present at the time of it being fixed – we were worried about this point exactly. As we don't live in SA we are hoping they fix it so we don't have the hassle of doing it remotely (and potentially having to put up the tenants at the same time). But if it came down to it... We also suggested that the R/E agent mention insurance to them in case they can claim it. and thanks willair for the tip! Will let you know how we get on!

Cheers Craig.

 

[orcades]

Insurance

Hi all,
Just thought that we would let you know that the bathroom (after much too-ing and fro-ing) is being fixed by the vendors' insurance company which is great for everyone! It has ended up being a great buy.

Cheers,

Craig.