Plumber broke pipe using snake.

[punkinsmom]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Ohio

I need to know who's liable for damage caused when a plumber snaked my clogged bathtub drainpipe.

In a nutshell, the plumber put a hole in the pipe when he snaked it, causing water damage in the bathroom of the unit below mine (i own a condo). To get at and replace the now-broken pipe, plumber had to cut a hole in that owner's bathroom ceiling, so in addition to replacing broken pipe, plumber also had to repair/plaster the other owner's ceiling. Plumber gave estimate for whole thing (new pipe, ceiliing, etc.) of $500. We just received a bill for $1,500, and feel we shouldn't have to pay the extra $1,000, especially since he caused the damage by breaking the pipe.

We did not sign a contract (he was recommended by other tenants, including condo assoc. board member), plumber has liability coverage, but his license is expired. After I told him I didn't think we should have to pay for his fixing the damage he caused, he threatened to put a lien on the property.

Am I liable for the full bill? My insurance co. says no, plumber, of course says yes, that ANYONE knows a pipe can break when snaked and that we took a risk. He did NOT mention that risk before he snaked.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Ohio

I need to know who's liable for damage caused when a plumber snaked my clogged bathtub drainpipe.

In a nutshell, the plumber put a hole in the pipe when he snaked it, causing water damage in the bathroom of the unit below mine (i own a condo). To get at and replace the now-broken pipe, plumber had to cut a hole in that owner's bathroom ceiling, so in addition to replacing broken pipe, plumber also had to repair/plaster the other owner's ceiling. Plumber gave estimate for whole thing (new pipe, ceiliing, etc.) of $500. We just received a bill for $1,500, and feel we shouldn't have to pay the extra $1,000, especially since he caused the damage by breaking the pipe.

We did not sign a contract (he was recommended by other tenants, including condo assoc. board member), plumber has liability coverage, but his license is expired. After I told him I didn't think we should have to pay for his fixing the damage he caused, he threatened to put a lien on the property.

Am I liable for the full bill? My insurance co. says no, plumber, of course says yes, that ANYONE knows a pipe can break when snaked and that we took a risk. He did NOT mention that risk before he snaked.

**A: what type of snake was he using, the one on the movie Anaconda? How old is your building and what type of drain/waste pipes does your building have ie. cast iron, clay, ABS etc. and what was the condition of the pipes.

 

[punkinsmom]

Reply to Homeguru

The pipes are cast-iron. Original pipes from the early 50s. KInda rusty at the joints (we have the pipe in our garage).

 

[HomeGuru]

The pipes are cast-iron. Original pipes from the early 50s. KInda rusty at the joints (we have the pipe in our garage).

**A: common sense dictates that it is not the plumber's fault.