Latest news with #plumbers
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pueblo basement flooded after sewage leak
(PUEBLO, Colo.) — A Pueblo homeowner had his worst nightmares realized, after a crew installing fiber optic in his neighborhood allegedly hit a sewer line, flooding the homeowner's basement with blackwater. 'My house is worth about half what it was a couple of months ago,' homeowner Ken Willard said. Willard said crews were installing a fiber optic line in his neighborhood. In his mind, there was no need for concern. 'I really didn't think much about it, I knew what they were doing, they're doing it all over town,' Willard said. But something changed when Willard said he began to smell sewage from his basement. Then one day, Willard returned from a trip and saw the unimaginable. 'I came down here and there was blackwater,' Willard said. What Willard was seeing was black sewage in his basement bathroom. Willard then called plumbers as soon as possible. Once they arrived, the plumbers told Willard there was a bigger problem. 'They said this is eight feet of water in the sewer and it's not moving,' Willard explained. Willard said he learned the crews working on the fiber optic line had drilled into one of the main sewer lines in his area, causing the flood and forcing Willard and his wife to leave the house for two weeks and live in a hotel. 'My wife was working from a hotel and with rheumatoid arthritis and a chair that's not designed for her, she's had pain ever since,' Willard said. While the house is now livable again, Willard is still cleaning. The restoration company Willard is working with is estimating it will take roughly $27,000 to repair his basement. But Willard is claiming the insurance companies who got involved will not foot the entire bill. 'I've already incurred cost of hotel and food that they refused to pay for,' Willard said. 'I've played $500 for a plumber to come out here and fix their problem that they won't pay for.' Willard has even gone to the companies themselves to figure out what is going on. 'I talked to the owner of Prodigy Excavating who's the one responsible for this,' Willard said. 'He assured me on the phone that he was going to fix it. Now he's been instructed not to talk to me.' FOX21 News reached out to a spokesperson from Prodigy Excavating over the phone on Friday, June 6. They told us the insurance company is still working with Willard. We also reached out to Congruex, who Willard claims were also involved, via email and have not heard back as of this writing. For Willard, the fight is just beginning. 'I just want my basement fixed back,' Willard said. 'I'm not trying to get rich. I'm not trying to ruin anybody.' Willard also believes there were other houses affected by the sewage leak. He added he is looking at potential legal options if the companies do not fully reimburse him for the damages. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Seven common DIY mistakes that can invalidate your home insurance and cost up to £6,000
WHETHER you love it or not, DIY is essential if you want to keep your home in tip top shape - but some mistakes could cost you £1,000s. Forum Insurance has revealed the seven common DIY errors that can invalidate your home insurance and see you denied a claim. 1 From accidentally drilling into pipes or wiring, to improperly installed decking, it could cost you £1,000s if you're not covered. Here are the mistakes you'll want to avoid, and how much making them could cost you. Accidentally drilling into pipes or wiring - £6,600 Drilling into walls to hang up artwork or shelving is a common DIY task - but hit piping or wiring, and it could prove costly. Repairs for burst pipes can cost up to £600 while electrical damage may mean you need to rewire, costing up to £6,000. Insurers may also refuse a claim if the damage has been caused recklessly or the work was carried out by someone unqualified. To cover yourself insurance-wise, make sure your policy includes accidental damage cover. Plumbing or electrical work - £5,000 Tackling plumbing or electrical work yourself without holding the relevant qualifications can lead to trouble. Not only can it invalidate your home insurance policy, it can also prove fatal. Botched plumbing can cause water damage costing up to £5,000 to repair while poor electrical work increases fire risks which can cost £10,000s worth of damage. Always hire a registered professional to carry out any key works like this to ensure nothing goes awry. Cut car insurance costs and save money Skipping wall preparation - £3,500 Failing to properly clean, sand and prime walls before painting them is one of the most common DIY mistakes, Forum Insurance said. But it can prove the most costly if it leads to peeling, blistering and moisture damage insurers class as "preventable deterioration". Forum said with the average painter charging £500 a day, it could take a week (£3,500) for them to strip, dry, prime and repaint any walls to rectify the mistake. Make sure you always clean, sand and prime surfaces before painting, and if you're painting a damp-prone area, use moisture-resistant primers. You can pick up primer paint from Toolstation from around £12. If you've got home insurance, make sure your policy includes cover for "consequential damage" from DIY work. Improperly installing sheds or garden decking - £3,000 If you're planning on installing or repairing sheds or garden decking in time for summer, make sure they're properly anchored, meaning they're bolted to the ground securely. Don't do this, and strong winds or a storm can more easily rip them up and cause damage to your home or neighbouring properties. What is home insurance? Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals all you need to know about home insurance... Home insurance is designed to cover you in the event of fire, flood, or theft or loss of any item inside it. There are two types of home insurance policy - contents and buildings. Buildings insurance covers the cost of repairing any damage to the structure of your property which might have been caused by a fire or flooding. The "building" includes elements like your roof, walls and floors as well as permanent fixtures such as windows or fitted kitchens. Contents insurance says what it does on the tin - it covers you in case the contents of your home are damaged, lost or stolen. You can buy either buildings or contents policies separately, or combined so you are covered across all scenarios. Not all home insurance policies cover the same things though, so it's worth shopping around. You can use price comparison websites like Compare the Market, GoCompare and Uswitch. Most home insurance policies also come with an "excess" - the amount you have to pay towards a claim. Increasing your excess will see your policy go down, but means you'll have to fork out more if you have to make a claim. Many home insurance policies class any accidents occurring due to improperly bolted decking or sheds as preventable meaning you won't be covered if it happens. To protect yourself insurance-wise, ensure your policy covers damage from uninsured outdoor features. Neglecting routine maintenance - £1,500 Even not keeping on top of simple DIY tasks can end up costing you a fortune. Issues like blocked gutters, cracked walls, or damaged roof tiles can escalate into major problems if left alone. For example, water seeping into your home from clogged gutters can cost hundreds in repairs, while roof damage can cost £1,500 to fix. Insurers may reject a claim for damage caused by you not carrying out regular upkeep too. Most debris in blocked gutters can be removed yourself, but any cracked walls or damaged roof tiles may require a professional. You'll have to front up the cost to pay for any works done, but it could save you more money in the long run. Poorly securing fixtures - £1,000 Fixing a TV, shelving unit or mirror to the wall badly can lead to it falling. Not only will you be left with a broken item, but will likely have to repair the floor and wall too, which could cost you up to £1,000. Your insurer might deem you've been negligent in installing something improperly as well and not pay out. Make sure you use heavy-duty wall anchors and are using the right drill bits to not crack the wall. Check whether your insurance policy covers for damage caused by improperly secured fixtures as well. Ignoring manufacturer guidelines when installing or modifying appliances - £700 Installing or modifying common household appliances incorrectly can end up costing you £100s. Improper installation of washing machines can lead to £400 in water damage, for example. To avoid falling foul of this mistake, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation. Employ a professional for complex jobs and keep a track of any work carried out with photos and receipts in case you need to make a claim and want to prove you've followed the right protocols.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Nearly one in 5 traders feel lonely at work – with plumbers & electricians struggling the most, poll finds
NEARLY one in five tradespeople feel lonely at work – with plumbers and electricians struggling the most. A study of 500 sole traders who work in construction or utilities found 17 per cent also feel isolated while at work and 22 per cent feel overwhelmed. 2 A quarter of plumbers even claimed they spend as much as 90 per cent of their working day alone. A lack of social interactions (53 per cent) and long working hours (49 per cent) were the top contributors, with 40 per cent finding it difficult with sharing work-related concerns. But plumbers and electricians (both 20 per cent) were most likely to experience loneliness, with this dropping to 10 per cent for those in construction. It also emerged 65 per cent of plumbers often struggle with the business and admin side of the job, compared to just 54 per cent of those in construction. As a result, three quarters of plumbers confessed to feeling burnt out – more than any other profession polled. Daniel Martin, for Mira Showers, which commissioned the research and is aiming to support plumbers and installers, said: "It can be tricky to manage workload, especially for sole traders. "Long days at work and relying on a workforce of one can lead to a certain feeling of isolation and loneliness. "One of the biggest unseen factors in this, is when the physical job is done, there are still a lot of business and admin tasks left to do. "This can be overwhelming, especially given many tradespeople have no formal training for this side of the job, which increases their working day." The study also found 80 per cent of the tradespeople polled admit to feeling pressured to work more hours than they believe they should each day, with this rising to 82 per cent of plumbers and installers. 'survey reveals what your ice cream eating habits could say about your personality' Although 67 per cent of this profession enjoy being their own boss, this goes hand in hand with specific additional tasks away from the tools. Communicating with clients (46 per cent), managing invoices (45 per cent), and tax returns (45 per cent) are the most common additional jobs handled by solo workers. Almost half (49 per cent) teach themselves the skills for these tasks through research and learning, while 44 per cent rely on trial and error. Tax returns (18 per cent) cause the biggest headache for those plumbers and installers who take it on themselves. A cry for help is not uncommon across the board for trades, with 60 per cent admitting they have looked for support with this side of the job. However, a lack of budget to cover the cost (31 per cent) was the main reason stopping them in this pursuit. While 22 per cent were unsure where to even begin to look for the help they need. It also revealed 79 per cent of the plumbers polled, via OnePoll, wish they could spend more time with loved ones, but are too busy with work. With sleep quality (30 per cent), time for relaxation (28 per cent), and stress levels (28 per cent) among the other things that also suffer as a result of their busy schedule. Daniel Martin for Mira Showers added: "This research has confirmed a lot of what we already knew, especially within the plumbing and installing community. "The pressures of work for these, like many of us, have a wider impact on home and social lives. "Although this increases the feeling of loneliness, there are people and tools out there that can help lighten the load and make things more manageable. 'Through our online platform, InstallerPRO, we hope to provide plumbers with the advice they need to better balance their life, including tips on improved business acumen and healthier lunch choices.' KATE WATSON-SMYTH'S TOP TIPS TO HELP RENTERS EMBRACE THE SPACE AND EVERY CORNER OF THEIR HOME Swap harsh lighting for warm white LED bulbs to create a softer, more inviting atmosphere and save energy. Upgrade your shower head for better water pressure, efficiency, and a more enjoyable daily routine. Keep the old one so you can swap it back when you leave. Use your own curtains to personalize your space and add thermal lining for extra warmth and energy savings. Swap back before you go and use them again. Block draughts with homemade excluders that are easy to make, store, and hang when not in use. Hang art without damaging walls using picture rails or self-adhesive hooks for a renter-friendly personal touch. Work with unchangeable décor by matching existing features with coordinated accessories for a cohesive look. Soften your kitchen's look with tile stickers, new cabinet handles, and warm lighting like a countertop lamp. Remember to put the original handles back when you move out. Request a smart meter to monitor energy use in near-real time and manage your bills more efficiently. 2
