Hot water cylinder / insurance

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rb99

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Topic # 239329 12-Jul-2018 13:26

I guess its best to ask insurance ourselves, but is it safe to assume that if an old hot water cylinder has been slowly leaking unknown to us and caused a moldy mess in the little cupboard its in then replacing the cylinder we pay for but fixing soggy walls the insurance should pay for (concrete floor btw). Thanks.

rb99

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Reply # 2054993 12-Jul-2018 13:28

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You pay for soggy walls too.

Dynamic

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Reply # 2055001 12-Jul-2018 13:38

Our personal house insurance policy will contribute up to about $3000 in case case of slow leaks. Definitely ask as the contribution of few grand is better than no grand. I tend not to let the contractor/builder know as their price may be a fraction higher if they know someone else is paying some of the bill.

And from recent experience..... saving a few $ by replacing the bottom half of a wall lining is not worth the hassle unless there is very good reason.... putting up a whole sheet and not having to mess around with tidying up joins is simpler even if there is a little more painting to do.

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rb99

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Reply # 2055015 12-Jul-2018 14:03

Well, assuming I'm looking at the right insurance wording ASB's says 'Hidden gradual damage up to $5,000...'. Suppose they could say in our case up to $0.

A plumbers coming to look tomorrow. I guess I should talk to the insurance today in the meantime ? (is that how its usually done)

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Reply # 2055020 12-Jul-2018 14:15

Yes I think you are safe to start a conversation with them..... I can't see any way that could bite you.

If your part of the country has had any recent major events (e.g. a storm resulting in a lot of insurance claims) there may be a few weeks lead time on the repairs.... if this is the case and the leak isn't too bad then you may want to keep the old cylinder in place for a few weeks until the people repairing the walls are ready.

Note when we had our hot water cylinder replaced in a hurry three years ago, I later wished I had paused to consider other options like going to a gas cylinder or instant hot water system or even relocating the cylinder. We are saving pennies to do a kitchen upgrade next year and the current newish cylinder can't stay where it is.

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rb99

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Reply # 2055033 12-Jul-2018 14:24

We're in Whakatane so weather has behaved so far (touch wood) which helps. Thought about gas but that would mean cylinders which might be OK but not if it decides to run out for a 6am shower (even though I believe they come in pairs). Will probably have to just replace the existing one (and surrounding walls) - its very out of the way otherwise we might have noticed sooner.

rb99

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Reply # 2055109 12-Jul-2018 14:43

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Oh well, phoning insurance was painless. They'll send some assessor chappie out soon, probably tomorrow. Hopefully they'll part with some actual money. Time will, as they say, tell.

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Reply # 2055116 12-Jul-2018 14:52

rb99: Thought about gas but that would mean cylinders which might be OK but not if it decides to run out for a 6am shower (even though I believe they come in pairs).

My semi-retired plumber was in here yesterday and we briefly discussed changing to instant gas hot water when we do the kitchen next year. Yes, the cylinders come in pairs and there is an auto-transfer valve of some sort. He says that on his pensioner discount he pays about $130 per 45kg gas cylinder and it lasts him and his wife ages. He also mentioned you are supposed to check the auto-transfer valve from time to time so you know when one cylinder is out and can phone through to order a replacement. He deliberately turns the standby cylinder off so the auto-transfer doesn't happen and he has to go and turn it on manually, which prevents him forgetting to check and order a replacement! (Personally I would set a weekly reminder on my smartphone to avoid running out while in the shower like you suggest!)

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rb99

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Reply # 2055131 12-Jul-2018 15:03

Dynamic:

rb99: Thought about gas but that would mean cylinders which might be OK but not if it decides to run out for a 6am shower (even though I believe they come in pairs).

My semi-retired plumber was in here yesterday and we briefly discussed changing to instant gas hot water when we do the kitchen next year. Yes, the cylinders come in pairs and there is an auto-transfer valve of some sort. He says that on his pensioner discount he pays about $130 per 45kg gas cylinder and it lasts him and his wife ages. He also mentioned you are supposed to check the auto-transfer valve from time to time so you know when one cylinder is out and can phone through to order a replacement. He deliberately turns the standby cylinder off so the auto-transfer doesn't happen and he has to go and turn it on manually, which prevents him forgetting to check and order a replacement! (Personally I would set a weekly reminder on my smartphone to avoid running out while in the shower like you suggest!)

I can ask the plumber tomorrow about replacing with gas but the price would have to be fairly comparable. Also if cylinders (and heater) need to go outside on concrete pretty much the only location would be outside somewhere along the left hand bedroom to front door to right hand garage door area (there's slopes / banks further to the right), which would be less than elegant...

rb99

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Reply # 2055180 12-Jul-2018 16:09

rb99: I can ask the plumber tomorrow about replacing with gas but the price would have to be fairly comparable. Also if cylinders (and heater) need to go outside on concrete pretty much the only location would be outside somewhere along the left hand bedroom to front door to right hand garage door area (there's slopes / banks further to the right), which would be less than elegant...

Fair enough.

I like to cost little projects like that out over 3 or 5 years (a habit from doing the same for clients around significant equipment investments) and if ther is a reasonable saving, flattening a small area beside the house and putting a small concrete pad in or some gravel and big concrete pavers on top might be worthwhile. A little sweat and time and not much cost (I'm guessing), if you can do much of it yourself.

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Amosnz

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Reply # 2055196 12-Jul-2018 16:26

My brother in law recently built a house with an infinity on bottles (electric hotplate I think), his family of 2 adults, 2 kids got 3 months from their first bottle.

We went from a gas hot water cylinder to a gas infinity about 18mths ago, you can see below the significant and sustained drop in usage (we also have gas hotplate). We aren't on bottle gas though, 2 adults, 3 kids.