It sometimes pays to be insured

Today, I had a day off work to stay at home and wait for the plumber to arrive. Eventually he arrived at 13:30, and very quickly informed me that it was NOT a water pipe that had burst, but the water tank itself had split at the bottom! Considering that the tank is only 13 years old, I am very surprised that something like this should happen to a copper tank!

I thought the plumber would disconnect the tank and remove it ready for when the new one arrived. Instead, he spent 3 hours draining the remaining water from the tank (the drain valve wouldn't open properly!) and then told me that he would not disconnect the tank, as he was not allowed to leave the pipes unconnected, in case the valves stopping the water flow failed.

Next, he gave me the news that did not make me a happy bunny. A new hot water tank has to be ordered, and will not be delivered here until Monday! Then on Tuesday morning, another plumber will arrive to remove the old tank, and install the new one. Until then, we have only cold water supply in the house. The only way we can have hot water, is by boiling water in a saucepan on the cooker! So for the next 7 days, I will be reduced to strip washes!

The only real good news out of this disaster, is that I will not have to pay anything for the replacement tank, or the work carried out by the plumbers. I had the good sense to set up a contract with British Gas to maintain, my gas appliances, central heating, plumbing, and electrics. The policy costs about £28 each month, but I have been told that the tank and plumbing work alone would cost over £1000. Then there is the cost of the electricians afterwards to repair or replace the damaged smoke alarm.

My daughter now has a job to do for the next 7 days. She has to use a hair dryer to attempt to dry out the floor underneath the tank, and the ceiling downstairs. I may even decide to call in the house contents insurers to see if I can claim on that insurance to repair the water damage to the downstairs ceiling, and the dining room. I'll have to think about that one, and make a decision tomorrow.