Plumbing Rant-Part II

[Fishguy]

N80,
Trust me I feel your pain!! Several years back ('93) my septic line to the tank became partially blocked. As a result, flood. Turns out my daughter was having a sleep over. When they went down for the night about 9:00 they used the commode in my bathroom. Little did I or they notice but the float stuck and the commode ran for at least 2 hours before I noticed it. Faster than the line would allow. Funny how you learn there is a problem but that was when I found that the wax seal on the toilet was bad.

Any way, needless to say the floors warped so bad that even the sub-floor was shot. The insurance company sent a guy out for an estimate. I couldn't believe that he was going to charge the company $5500 to "trim" around the tub, cabinets and such, then replace just the top flooring. And they were going to go for it!! The floor was done with partical board of all things. You just know that the water was sucked up under things and would cause major problems down the road.

I squawked and told them to give me the money and I'll do it my self. They subtracted my $500 deductable and gave me 5K. With that I was able to completely gut the whole room to studs and joist. Then remodeled the room and had enough left to over to recarpet all the bedrooms and the main hall.

So if you have the patience and knowledge, wait them out. See what it will cost them, and offer to do it yourself. I got a whole new bathroom for it!


Steve

 

[EddieWalker]

So if you have the patience and knowledge, wait them out. See what it will cost them, and offer to do it yourself.

I've heard this from others as well. The insurance companies always offer a low initial price just to see if you'll take it. They are out nothing by doing this and have everything to gain. Hold out until you get what you want.

I know for a fact this works in the auto insurace industry. My Dad was hit by another driver who ran a stop sign. His fault. Insurance offered what they said the vehicle was worth. Dad said no and kept saying no until they gave him what he wanted. Three times there initial offer.

Eddie

 

[N80]

Fishguy, I am a DIY sort, but I'm very short on finesse and I'm just not up for drywall and ceiling work, too much skill involved. Plus, there is going to be a lot of tile work and I know I'd screw that up.

As far as the estimate, I'll probably get someone I trust to give me a good fair estimate for the whole thing (repair of damages) and pretty much demand that amount.