In 2000 I had new fixtures fitted to all of my old pipes. In 2006 there was a continuous leak behind the tub which was rarely used (maybe 6 times in 6 years) which took extensive investigation to locate (punching 4 holes in the stucco and concrete walls of two adjoining bathrooms, breakage of the tub enclosure). The water damaged the walls, subfloors and floors of both bathrooms. The original plumber told me the leaks was caused by the old pipes I didn’t replace.
I waited 2 years to have the cash to begin repairs. I finally contacted another plumber who advised me that the fittings placed in 2000 were the wrong size for the original pipes and that is why both the hot and cold fittings gushed simultaneously behind the walls even tho the taps were turned off. The fittings are visibly not flush. It is clear that the leaks occurred at the point of connection between the old and new fittings.
How can I sue the original plumber for all my damages (he is licensed?) Is it too late?
In response to the great replies I got, the leak occurred between the original 3 pronged valve and new fittings used to make it fit the new faucets. They clearly were not meant to be a match; it appears the plumber tried to fit some new extensions into the existing valve. They leaked after several uses. I made an insurance claim but it was denied because the pipes did not burst so this was not covered. Should I get another plumber to give me a second opinion of the work?
In response to the plumber’s reply that it is difficult to prove human error, the valve extensions are visibly not flush–there is a gap between the valve and the extensions. That is where the leaks occurred when the water was turned on. It is possible they leaked immediately but since the tub was very rarely turned on, it was not detected for many years. I had a leak detection company go into the subfloor and tell me there appeared to be old dried water stains as well as the fresh ones.
In reply to Javahut, there is no extra damage after the original damage. The tub has not been used at all in the ensuing 2 years. I have since changed insurance companies but I suspect I can get the records of the claim I made that was denied by Allstate who had an inspector come out and take photos, etc.

I’m looking at buying a house that a bank currently owns. I want to do a home inspection so I can know what exactly I’m getting into on this one, as I am aware that it needs many cosmetic repairs. Though to be sure it is sturdy by means of plumbing and electrical I need the inspector to assess it. The home has been winterized and I am aware that a proper inspection requires the home to be de-winterized and re-winterized after the inspection is complete during the cold months. What puzzles me is this: do the banks usually de-winterize the houses for the summertime or do they leave them winterized? If they leave them winterized, would I be required to pay for re-winterization after an inspection even though it is spring time? I’m confused. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Okay, we’re going to have about 10K coming in March to pay off debt….where do we start?

I was thinking about paying off the credit cards with the highest interest rates off first….is that the way to go?

Or should we pay off the negative equity on our car which is 10k, and get rid of it or refinance it…..we cannot get it refinanced because of the -equity. We are due to pay $470 per month for 6 yrs on a car that is worth 11K!

We have a lot of credit debt, like right off the bat a 17% interest rate on a maxed out 5k water system. & there’s a 2K Dell account, a 1K capital one, 1K Fingerhut, 2.5K Sears.

But we just bought our first home in August, its the same in mortgage as we were spending on rent…so its good! BUT there are some major repairs needed….we need a fence in the front for safety for our kids, 1K in plumbing, $600 water heater, 6 cracked windows, bathroom floor needs replacing…thats about it, OH and the electrical system needs to be updated but that can wait…….

Dh was thinking we should try to get rid of our car with 5K because a dealership recently offered to swallow 5k in -equity if we came up with the other 5K….but we didnt have it. IF we keep the car as it is with a 13% rate, we’ll end up paying over 30K for it in the long run and we only make 30K per year.

Please help, we dont know where to put our money, we dont want to put it in the wrong place.

I live in a large house, I pay about 1250 a month in rent. I agreed to get a large house because with the income I made I could afford it plus I have extremely bad credit and the property manager I was working with took couples with bad credit…but I had to sign a two year lease.

Well, since then I’ve had to take a pay cut and it’s made things very hard to pay. My job isn’t making as much money anymore and so most of the management members had to take a pay cut.

I also have not been happy with my living conditions. My first month in the house, the plumbing broke and I had to pay for it. It was not deducted from my rent. I was also told that the lawn would be taken care of the first month in which it was not. The realtor told me to get a receipt for it but the lawn guy didn’t speak english nor did he document that stuff so I let that slide. Our air conditioning stopped working and she was gonna have me pay it, but changed her mind after I brought up the plumbing (which I have never been reimbursed for).

Hurricane Ike damaged our back door and roof which has not been repaired and we have called her twice on it. Then last week she accused me of owning a dog and asked if I paid a pet deposit on the dog (it was the neighbor’s running in my yard, IDC he’s got a nice dog).

My main problem is that I just can’t afford the rent anymore. I make 25% less than I did 6 months ago when we got the house. My boss even offered to type up a letter for me and tell her that I’m being re-located. I just don’t know what to do and I can’t afford an attorney nor do I want bad renter’s history…I’ve done absolutely wonderful with it. What should I do?
*** I have 2 room mates and a boyfriend. One room mate is moving out because he doesn’t like to pay rent.
**** Also, the female room mate with me has lived with me for 3 years.
***** Actually with cable, electricity, water and groceries it’s more than $420 a month.

I’ve been through 4 room mates in this house and I’m running out people to choose from.

My toilet seems to leak some water everytime its flushed. How do I fix this problem, since I really do not want to hire a plumber for something like that.