Who Pays For Water Leak Damage?

CONTENT

• How do water leaks happen?
• What are the risks of water leaks?
• Who is responsible for fixing a water leak?
• Who must pay to fix a water leak?
• What to do if water has damaged your home
• Get in touch

Whether you own or rent a property, discovering a leak in your house is incredibly stressful. Containing and cleaning up after water damage is the first part of the process — you must also understand who is financially responsible, and if your insurance provider can help.

At ICE Cleaning, we offer thorough and efficient water damage clean-up services. Our expert technicians use modern technology and solutions to extract excess water and dry your home to prevent mould growth.

Read on to learn more about water leak responsibility and what you can do to understand the insurance process.

How do water leaks happen?

Three types of water pipes are used across UK properties: water mains, supply pipes, and communication pipes. Any of these pipes could be the source of a leak, and there are multiple reasons why a leak can occur. This includes:

• Clogged drains causing blockage and overflowing
• Broken seals in appliances like washing machines
• Corrosion or rust that eats away at the pipes
• High water pressure that damages pipes
• Loose connections in your pipeline
• Foliage roots intruding on water lines
• Damaged pipe joints from age or damage
• Frozen pipes that crack the surface

The best way to prevent leaks in your home is to use drainage systems correctly and keep them clear of unnecessary waste. You should check your pipes often or hire a contractor to assess them for you.

What are the risks of water leaks?

Water and flood damage is incredibly unsightly, and can also be dangerous to your health and home's integrity. Repeated incidents of water damage could lower the value of your home or result in creating an uninhabitable environment.

Water leakage is absorbed by materials throughout the property and could lead to damp. When there are high levels of damp, this results in mould or mildew growing on your property. Should this happen, you must bring in professional cleaners to tackle the mould.

The structural integrity of your home is at risk when there is excessive water damage. You may see discolouration, stains, and streaks across your walls or ceiling. Drywall or plaster will also absorb water damage, which causes warping and swelling.

Who is responsible for fixing a water leak?

You are responsible for contacting the appropriate people to report the leak and any damage that resulted from it, regardless of why the leak happened. If you are a landlord or homeowner, you will be responsible for finding help. A tenant should contact their landlord to report the incident.

When a water leak occurs within your property boundary, talk to your water provider. They can repair it for you, but this may sometimes come with a charge. If the damage is outside of the property boundary, this will be the water company's full responsibility to fix and cover the costs.

As a property owner, you must maintain the supply pipe — a service pipe within the boundary of your home. However, financial responsibilities may vary.

Who must pay to fix a water leak?

A water company covers the costs of repairing the pipes regardless of whether it is on your property. Some companies might ask you to pay a fee, but others will not — you must contact your water company to know what you are accountable for.

However, when there is water damage to your property or any items, this may be solely your responsibility. In the event of leaks due to floods or pipe damage, you must contact your insurance company and collect evidence of any damage.

A water company might offer a basic water restoration service or pay your excess insurance fees, but this is not always guaranteed.

If you do not have insurance, the water company may settle a claim with you, but they do not cover everything. Water damage cleaning services must intervene to clean the property and prevent any long-lasting damage.

What to do if water has damaged your home

If water floods your home due to a leak or weather incident, you must act immediately to protect yourself and anyone else on the property. If you are unsure if the water is related to sewage, you must keep your distance to prevent any possibility of illness. In the meantime, you should:

• Turn off all electricity in the home via a circuit board or fuse box
• Keep children and pets away from the water damage
• Take photos of the water and damage
• Contact your insurance company
• Contact your water provider company
• Do not try to clean the water up yourself
• Call a water damage restoration company

Get in touch

Our industry professionals can restore your property with our water clean-up services. They will use specialist drying and water pump technology to effectively remove all traces of water from your property and begin the restoration process.

We offer various water damage restoration services, and you can learn more by talking to our team at 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. Our technicians are available 365 days a year, nationwide.