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£30k damage after plumbing nightmare
7:45am Thursday 15th May 2008
Comments (23)A FAMILY'S dream move to their first home turned into a nightmare after a fault with the plumbing system left them with £30,000 worth of water damage and no home for 10 weeks.
Sarah Humphrey, 38, contacted the Wiltshire Times after reading our previous story about a faulty boiler at a Persimmon home in Bowerhill.
Mrs Humphrey, her partner Martin Dorsett, 44, and her two children Ross, 13 and Esme, 10, moved into their Persimmon home in Sandalwood Road in Leigh Park, Westbury, last summer.
But on October 16 Mr Dorsett returned from work to discover water gushing into the kitchen after the ceiling collapsed.
The family were forced to live in a 15ft caravan parked in their drive while repairs were made.
After the incident the family unearthed faults in the plumbing system. The hot water feed-pipe became disconnected due to incorrect installation while the Polypiping used throughout the house and the positioning of the pipes to the water tank were not as recommended by the manufacturer Gledhill.
They also discovered the original owners of the house had a flood on the day they were due to move in.
Mrs Humphrey said: "Southern Electric couldn't believe the state of the pipes. They said the installation was not as it should have been and an independent plumber said the same. In the end we had to have the whole lot taken out and reinstalled."
Persimmon Homes refused to give the family help or compensation because the house was four years old and no longer under their two-year guarantee.
Mrs Humphreys said: "Persimmon literally said sort it out yourself, it's not our problem.' Yet a house two doors away had a leak in their shower recently and Persimmon rectified their problem.
"We lived in a hotel for a week but the insurance company didn't cover the cost of food so we had to move into a caravan. My son couldn't bear to live in the cramped conditions and went to stay with his dad, which devastated me.
"Nearly everybody in our rank of houses has had problems with their hot water. It's all plumbing related."
Steve Roche managing director at Persimmon Homes Wessex said they were aware of the family's complaint but the two-year warranty period applied.
He said: "If the cause of the leak was found to be a latent defect or that of poor workmanship then their insurers could pursue any claim from Persimmon Homes via our own insurance company.
"To date we have received no formal notification or reports from either the homeowner or their insurers and as such are unable to comment further.
"We are happy to review any correspondence or reports should the homeowner or their insurers wish to provide us with any relevant paperwork."
Your Say YourWiltshire Times
al, Westbury says...
8:55am Thu 15 May 08
al, Westbury says...
8:58am Thu 15 May 08
Colin wrote:If you went on a business trip you would expect your employer to pay for your meals, right? If you got stuck at an airport for 12 hours 'cos the plane was broken you would expect the airline to give you money for food too. I don't think it is unreasonable for additional expense due to an insured incident to be covered.
So do you expect the insurace company to pay for your food at home now ?
Heckler, Tin-pot County Town says...
10:01am Thu 15 May 08
Colin wrote:I think the point is that whilst the insurance company would cover the cost of the family staying in a hotel it wouldn't cover the cost of meals at the hotel.
So do you expect the insurace company to pay for your food at home now ?
I don't know many families that could afford to eat every meal in a hotel.
And I don't know of many hotels that would take kindly to a family bringing in their own food or setting up a camping stove in their room.
Russell Hawker, WESTBURY says...
12:24pm Thu 15 May 08
I bought and occupied the first house here in 1999.
It had minor plumbing problems, such dripping tap and radiator valves which whistled too much. It also had a main tank set too low in the attic to allow the gravity-feed showers to work properly. They tried to tell me to install my own pump using their same plumber. In the end, they fixed it all at their cost.
I had the same tank height problem at the next house in 2000.
Apart from that, I've found everything to be fine ... after minor defects are picked up during the normal defect warranty period.
As far as I can tell, Al lives in a Prowting home, so his comments need to be seen in that light.
sally beenwell, westbury says...
1:08pm Thu 15 May 08
Russell Hawker wrote:And not to Mention the Door knobs Brussell ehhh?.
The general workmanship of Persimmon homes at Leigh Park, Westbury, is quite good. I bought and occupied the first house here in 1999. It had minor plumbing problems, such dripping tap and radiator valves which whistled too much. It also had a main tank set too low in the attic to allow the gravity-feed showers to work properly. They tried to tell me to install my own pump using their same plumber. In the end, they fixed it all at their cost. I had the same tank height problem at the next house in 2000. Apart from that, I've found everything to be fine ... after minor defects are picked up during the normal defect warranty period. As far as I can tell, Al lives in a Prowting home, so his comments need to be seen in that light.
al, Westbury says...
1:18pm Thu 15 May 08
Why must you always try and put people down and belittle their opinions?
sally beenwell, westbury says...
1:30pm Thu 15 May 08
al wrote:Thats because you should Know better than to have an opinion that does not co-inside with Heather Brolly boy Brussells Opinions. However Once she has corrected you a few times she will Doubtless offer you a bright new Brolly to make amends. By the way she forgot to mention that she is only posting as in her private capacity as a London pigeon fancier.
I have no idea what a Prowting home even is... According to the home owners pack for the house I'm sat it ATM its a George Wimpy, but that doesn't change the fact I know several people who have Persimmon homes and have taken up issues with Persimmon and been treated badly. It also has no bearing on any comment made about the general standard of new builds these days. Why must you always try and put people down and belittle their opinions?
sally beenwell, westbury says...
1:30pm Thu 15 May 08
al wrote:Thats because you should Know better than to have an opinion that does not co-inside with Heather Brolly boy Brussells Opinions. However Once she has corrected you a few times she will Doubtless offer you a bright new Brolly to make amends. By the way she forgot to mention that she is only posting as in her private capacity as a London pigeon fancier.
I have no idea what a Prowting home even is... According to the home owners pack for the house I'm sat it ATM its a George Wimpy, but that doesn't change the fact I know several people who have Persimmon homes and have taken up issues with Persimmon and been treated badly. It also has no bearing on any comment made about the general standard of new builds these days. Why must you always try and put people down and belittle their opinions?
al, Westbury says...
1:36pm Thu 15 May 08
al, Westbury says...
1:40pm Thu 15 May 08
Thats because you should Know better than to have an opinion that does not co-inside with Heather Brolly boy Brussells Opinions.I am quite aware of the response I'll get from Mr Hawker if I disagree with him, but why should I know better than to voice my opinion? Really, no one should be bullied or belittled into not giving their opinions, we live in a society that has made great sacrifices in the past to allow free speech. There is though, no need for petty jibs. Mr Hawker is as welcom eto his opinion as any one else.
Russell Hawker, WESTBURY says...
1:57pm Thu 15 May 08
As fas as I am concerned, you are entitled to your opinion and to disagree with anyone, including me.
If I disagree with someone, that is not in itself belittling someone.
Belittling is where you make personal remarks about the person themselves rather than disagree with what they say or do.
I think the newspaper allows any opinion, though they will remove inappropriate personal remarks, slander etc if someone complains.
sally beenwell, westbury says...
2:00pm Thu 15 May 08
Sarah Jane Newbury, Sunny Trowbridge says...
2:16pm Thu 15 May 08
Ah you mean like calling people 'Fatso' and 'Smellybum' Russell/Heather?
Itchy Harris, Westbury says...
2:17pm Thu 15 May 08
I'm sure that you are all simply muddled and confused again.
realistic old man, West wilts says...
2:34pm Thu 15 May 08
My son couldn't bear to live in the cramped conditions and went to stay with his dad, which devastated me.Interesting comment - is the dad a monster or something ???:-o
sally beenwell, westbury says...
2:42pm Thu 15 May 08
Sarah Jane Newbury wrote:Are you sure that Russell Was,nt referring to Heather or perhaps the other way round.
"Belittling is where you make personal remarks about the person themselves rather than disagree with what they say or do." Ah you mean like calling people 'Fatso' and 'Smellybum' Russell/Heather?
Perhaps Sarah Could tell us.
norville, westwilts says...
4:26pm Thu 15 May 08
sally beenwell, westbury says...
5:43pm Thu 15 May 08
Yeah i know a good story. Tell em how Heather sticks her hand up your Rear End. And makes you Quack.
Itchy Harris, Westbury says...
7:22pm Thu 15 May 08
norville wrote:
Good grief,is there no story that you numpties can't use to have a go at eachother.
I haven't seen one yet. Hope we're not slipping.
old jarge, beanacre says...
7:27pm Thu 15 May 08
sally beenwell, westbury says...
7:24am Fri 16 May 08
old jarge wrote:Did,nt you here, They only came to interview Heather Brolly Boy Brussell for a new high powered job on Mars. Due to the effects of global warming. Heather brolly boy brussell will be exporting his Brolly's to the Martians. Do try to keep up with Local news Old Jarge
Now them as knows me knows as how I dun't tell lies or exaggrate. Coming out of the "Farmer's Arms" last night, I seen two little green blokes get out of a flying saucer what was landed in Vicar's garden. One of 'em says to Oi, "We can't make head nor tail of the garbage what Russell, Sarah Jane and their hangers-on write. We thought we could understand English but 'tis obvios as how we can't, so we're going home". Pity really, they looked like they'd be fun to know (the green men, not Russell and Sarah Jane)
DM, Westbury says...
10:35am Sun 18 May 08
Sarah Humphrey
Some of the damage to the house
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Colin, B-On-A says...
8:03am Thu 15 May 08