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Water leak, hardwoods damaged, dilemma with insurance, questions...
This is going to be long, sorry in advance.
We were out of town for 10 days and came back to a leak and major water damage. We usually turn our water off when we leave, but wanted to make sure the lawn got watered with the drought conditions. Anyway, we installed new baseboards on our top floor a couple months ago and it looks like a nail from that punctured a pipe that caused the damage. The leak went down thru our main floor bath/laundry room and another level to our finished basement.
We have hardwoods on the main floor which we installed about 5 years ago. The adjuster told us if they couldn't match it, they'd replace the entire floor. We've never been totally happy with the quality of the wood, so at first we were pleased to hear this (because we're pretty sure they won't be able to match it). There's about 70 sq ft of damage extending out the bathroom into the hall and dining room.
The insurance company sent one of their preferred contractors out yesterday to take a look at the work that needs to be done. I wasn't there for the conversation, but it sounds like he tried to talk DH out of replacing the entire floor. We did our kitchen at the same time we did the floors and he was talking about how accidents can happen when hardwood is removed and granite/end caps, cabinet bases, etc could get damaged. He suggested tile in the damaged area...which is not ok with me.
So here's he dilemma. We have a few boxes of hardwood left...still have to check but probably enough to cover the damaged area. I think DH is leaning toward this option because of the conversation with the contractor. I'm fine with using what we have. However, if we didn't have it, you'd better believe I'd want that floor replaced. That's why we pay for homeowner's insurance.
We're considering all the pros and cons. If we don't disclose we have the wood, is that fraud? If they replace all the hardwoods, we're worried the baseboards, rounded corners and base shoe we did won't match what we did - anyone know if they're required to match what we had? DH as a lot of sweat and tears in those baseboards. We've always talked about replacing the hardwoods someday anyway, if we use what we have will we look back someday and say we should have done it when we had that leak?
Any thoughts, experience, etc?
Re: Water leak, hardwoods damaged, dilemma with insurance, questions...
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I would get the whole floors replaced. Do you have to go with this contractor or can you get a second opinion?
Ditto PPs. Get the whole floors replaced. I would not think you would have to disclose that you have extra wood, they have no right to that flooring. I do agree with the contractor that there will be a chance that the cabinets, etc will get damaged. That actually happened to a guy my husband works with it was a pain in the a$$ but everything got fixed correctly. They will have to match up the baseboards so that everything is consistent so I wouldn't worry about that. I would go with what is going to make you the happiest.