by Guest » Fri Apr 05, 2013 12:28 pm
I got home from a 2 month vacation to find my carpets in 2 bedrooms soaking wet with mold growth. Called the insurance co who sent in a leak detection co. The guy showed me a crack at the base of the heater which had water tricking out. According to him the water from the water heater filled up in the tray around it, and overflowed into the house flooding two bedrooms, bathrooms and hallway.
Insurance company says this is a slow leak and will not cover. Are they right?
Also, I'm confused because if the water overflowed flooding the entire back of my house "drip by drip", how come the enclosed closet the water heater sits in is bone dry? The closet walls have some surface mold ( from the water in the tray that the water heater sits in), but the floor under the water heater is bone dry. Any advice/guidance?
Insurance company says this is a slow leak and will not cover. Are they right?
Also, I'm confused because if the water overflowed flooding the entire back of my house "drip by drip", how come the enclosed closet the water heater sits in is bone dry? The closet walls have some surface mold ( from the water in the tray that the water heater sits in), but the floor under the water heater is bone dry. Any advice/guidance?
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 01:28 pm Post Subject:
this is a slow leak and will not cover. Are they right?
Yes, they are. Covered water damage is the result of a sudden, unexpected flow/discharge of water (or the rupture/bursting of a pipe). Had you not been gone for such an extended period of time, you undoubtedly would have noticed the leak long before extensive damage occurred. Your vacation is not a free pass to an insurance claim.Why is the floor beneath the water heater dry? Who knows? Maybe the heat from the unit is enough to dry the floor and keep it dry. Maybe your home is not level and the water all flows away from the water heater.
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 07:55 am Post Subject:
Go after the heater manufacturer if it's still under warranty and for God's sake give some respite to your insurance company. They are not guilty if any of your household equipments malfunction.
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 09:18 am Post Subject:
Go after the heater manufacturer if it's still under warranty
Probably not an option, even if under warranty. Being away for two months creates an "intervening cause" that could give the manufacturer an escape from liability. Many states have product warranty laws that do not extend coverage for a manufacturing defect to collateral damage.Add your comment