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Thread ID: 93861	2008-10-03 22:35:00	Renovation questions	beetle (243)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
709654	2008-10-04 07:45:00	We had a "specialist installer" (Homeplus Hawkes Bay) re-Gib our bathroom and install a shower, vanity, etc. This "specialist" who apparently had 20-years of experience behind him, decided to cut the Gib board 5mm larger than the shower lining... and then cut smaller pieces of Gib board to do the rest of the wall. The plasterer who was subcontracted took one look at it and refused to start the job. In hindsight we should have got Homeplus to rip everything out and do it again properly, but we didn't, and now several years have since passed. Make sure you find a reputable tradesman/(tradeswoman??) to do the job, so you don't end up with the problems we had.	somebody (208)
709655	2008-10-04 07:53:00	I've seen more leaking showers than you've had hot dinners! (well maybe not but ya get the idea) Beetle, call your insurers. Most policies cover what is called gradual deterioration (defined as something being damaged over a period of time and in the case of water being involved results in mould and rot) IF the damage is from a hidden leaking waste pipe or supply pipe that you only recently discovered (ie you didn't see water leaking months ago and didn't do anything about it at that time) and you own and occupy the house. Up to you as to how long ago you first noticed it .... Cover is usually limited to anywhere from $1500 - $5000, which will somewhat to helping with costs. What we do is get a builder to quote and include all costs, including the plumbing work. They usually include a PC sum for plumbing and adjust the final invoice according to what the plumber's cost actually was. You could organise the plumber yourself and save the margin (10 - 20%) the builder will put on the plumber's bill but having the builder arrange matters usually means the job flows better. The builder will turn your water off at the street and in a day could rip the shower and vanity out, strip the gib wall linings and re-line with aqualine gib, put a new shower unit or tray/seratone linings, get the plumber in to reconnect the shower mixer and vanity pipes, connect to the existing drains for shower and vanity. Decorating is generally carried out after that on day two and three (gib stopping and painting). Matters can get complicated if there's rot in the wall framing but it's usually a matter of re-nogging and replacing studs. Bottom plates can be tricky but for a competent builder it's not a biggie - could add a day. Ultimately my advice is to see whether your insurers can assist. They could get a building co to price it all up and then they take care of the process, you just hand over your dollars at the end without having to run around organising everyone. If insurance wont pay it all then you could negotiate with the builder to do some work yourself (ie dismantling or painting). Good luck!	Jester (13)
709656	2008-10-04 19:12:00	In my experiance plumbers may be capable of installing a shower cabinet, but are not that great at getting a good finish. We had a plumber put in an acrylic shower cabinet and when it leaked his only solution was to pile on the sealastic, on the wrong side(inside), which quickly turned black from mold. That doesn't mean all plumbers are idiots, just that one.	pctek (84)
709657	2008-10-17 02:57:00	update . . . . . . . Ok got assesor in . . . . . . . . . . . took one look and said, not a pipe leak, but took photos and is happy to come back when i get vanity out . he had a good look at all parts and we worked out it is the shower itself . apparently when they put the shower in . . . . it was not an all in one shower, they used different makes? models and it was not to be doing the job it is . . . . hence the leaks, and the plumber put the gap sealant stuff on the wrong side . . . . . . so hence when the water flows . . . . . . . . it goes under the aluminium and out on to the floor (or into the vanity) got my plumber in, who nicely plugged up pipes and then took the vanity out for me . . . thank fully as its a very tight fit and he had the right tools . . . vanity is stuffed . . . . . . . warped and black and white mould growing . . . the gib has gone to the pack there, the lino (old stuff under the vanity is rottn, and the wall frame is black . . . . . . . :( , and the wall paper behind was :waughh: and i offered the plumber a peice for rememberance . . . :p and after closer inspection and wall attacking, some one had stuffed newspaper and old wall paper scewed up to pack the inside of the wall . . . . . . . . hence the newspaper sucks up the water and the idside of the gib makes your hands black . . . the smell isnt nice but it will dry out . . . . so he resealed the shower on the outside for me, and we will let it dry out and make sure that is the only leak and then they will come in and cost out a new shower, and small vanity, i can reuse pipes so its been doing it since it was put in they think . . . . . . . and the previous people had used the other shower so this ine was dry and no leaks present when checking out the house . . . . . . :( so . . . . . . $$$ to come, but at least i know wha is happening now and the vanity is out, and im not trying to budge it all weekend . . . . . . and get nowhere fast . thanks all for help, has not cost anything so far except for tapping off pipes and vanity removal . . . . . . . . . plumber said i was special so he pulled it out for me . :D beetle	beetle (243)
709658	2008-10-17 03:30:00	Be very careful with black mould, as it can be harmful to your health.	somebody (208)
709659	2008-10-17 03:37:00	........ plumber said i was special so he pulled it out for me.:D beetle Are you still talking about the vanity unit?	Metla (12)
709660	2008-10-17 03:50:00	sigh......guys have a one track mind.............. yes the vanity and only the vanity mets......... family forum rememeber... beetle :waughh:	beetle (243)
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