I have a tile floor in the hallway that was done just before we bought the house. Now during the winter, the grout has come loose and several tiles are loose. Is this something that can be covered by home insurance?
If it happened due to a sudden and unforeseen event (e.g., dropping something on the floor), it is possible that some insurance policies cover this. However, since individual tiles can easily be replaced, the costs involved are unlikely to be significant. The deductible would be more expensive.
If the tiles are coming loose due to normal wear and tear, it is likely due to improper installation, and such cases are rarely covered by home insurance.
If it's a company that laid the tiles, you might be able to file a complaint?
If the tiles are coming loose due to normal wear and tear, it is likely due to improper installation, and such cases are rarely covered by home insurance.
If it's a company that laid the tiles, you might be able to file a complaint?
Yes, they are coming loose one by one, now surely 15 out of 30 tiles are loose and it's just happening. So probably poorly done.
Hidden defect then? I have to remove everything. Re-float the floor etc.
Well, I can probably forget about that. Linking to a thread so you can read the history
How do you proceed with a latent defect?
I would start by calling the broker and inquiring.
Moreover, your floor reminds me of our floor, but even worse:
http://www.byggahus.se/forum/golv/29386-vagor-i-golvet-sprucken-klinkers.html
Moreover, your floor reminds me of our floor, but even worse:
http://www.byggahus.se/forum/golv/29386-vagor-i-golvet-sprucken-klinkers.html
Hi, I have read your other (long) thread... It's difficult to comment on this because it is unclear how old the building is. It is also not clear what contractual structure was in place when you acquired the property during ongoing renovations. It is easy to end up in a contractual legal gray area if you are not careful. The strongest protection you probably have is via the consumer purchase act. Hidden defects and other things that "should" have been a certain way are likely very difficult to invoke. The latter, of course, depends on the age of the building and what defects and risks you, as a buyer, can expect to be present.
Take, for example, the hallway floor. I would not accept a ceramic surface on a wooden joist without a quality document showing a technical description of the execution - more specifically - how the floor has been reinforced to handle a ceramic surface. As a buyer, you have a very large obligation to investigate; if you exclude something in the investigation or use an incompetent inspector, you are the one left holding the bag. The inspector has liability insurance, but the wording in the inspection protocol down to the comma level is so intricately designed that the inspector essentially has no responsibility at all.
If the hallway floor is not solid, tiles will come loose and grout will crack. Be glad it happens in the hallway and not in the wet rooms. I would file a complaint with the contractor who performed the work, provided that the warranty is still valid. There, you have support in the consumer purchase act. If this doesn't work, it's just a matter of taking out the sledgehammer and doing it over correctly.
Home insurance is not meant to protect you against construction errors or execution mistakes. If it were, we property owners would have to pay 100 times higher premiums to protect ourselves against all the oddities that go on in the construction industry. In new construction, you have a 10-year building defect warranty, but as mentioned, it's not clear how old your house is.
Take, for example, the hallway floor. I would not accept a ceramic surface on a wooden joist without a quality document showing a technical description of the execution - more specifically - how the floor has been reinforced to handle a ceramic surface. As a buyer, you have a very large obligation to investigate; if you exclude something in the investigation or use an incompetent inspector, you are the one left holding the bag. The inspector has liability insurance, but the wording in the inspection protocol down to the comma level is so intricately designed that the inspector essentially has no responsibility at all.
If the hallway floor is not solid, tiles will come loose and grout will crack. Be glad it happens in the hallway and not in the wet rooms. I would file a complaint with the contractor who performed the work, provided that the warranty is still valid. There, you have support in the consumer purchase act. If this doesn't work, it's just a matter of taking out the sledgehammer and doing it over correctly.
Home insurance is not meant to protect you against construction errors or execution mistakes. If it were, we property owners would have to pay 100 times higher premiums to protect ourselves against all the oddities that go on in the construction industry. In new construction, you have a 10-year building defect warranty, but as mentioned, it's not clear how old your house is.
Last edited: