Advice on smelly carpet following water leak!!!!

[TLC]

Hi, We recently had some warrenty work carried out on our Lunar Clunbman. The element had to be replaced in the fridge which is fine however, the dealer did not replace the waste to the kitchen sink! We have just been away for a week & after a day or so we realised that the waste was not connected & our fixed carpet was sodden. After some investigation we also had found that the waste water had travelled as far as the lockers under the front beds. Luckily I pack our bedding away in plastic bags.

The dealer sent a guy to fix it very quickly but as you can imagine the carpet started smellimg like a pair of rotton old trainers after a couple of days. I have contacted the dealer who says we need to take the caravan to them & they will clean the carpet. However I do not feel happy with this outcome as I would rather the carpet be replaced as about 60lts of dirty water has soaked into it. I also am worried about the damage that such a water leak could have on the floor. Do you think I have a right to ask for the carpet to be replaced as it is thier fault?

 

[AnnM1]

Sorry to hear about the leak. However, if you have no joy in getting them to replace your carpet you might try sprinkling on some dry bicarbonate of soda, leave it overnight and vacuum off. An old-fashioned idea which might just get rid of the nasty smell.

 

[Steve L]

First of all TLC, your dealer does owe you a replacement carpet, as it was the employee of the dealer who was at fault for forgetting to re-connect the waste pipe. You can check this out with your local citizens advice team, they might even be able to draft a letter for you to add weight to your complaint.

I would not treat the carpet until you have had the van independantly assessed to varifi your complaint.

If after getting written acceptance of liability etc from the dealer, you are still forced to use the van, then you could try a product called oust, which is available from most good pet stores. this is designed to neutralise the smells.

Steve L.

 

[STEVE_5041381]

same thing happened to me this weekend with brand new caravan

the sink waste dropped off (or was never on in the beginning) and waste water over the floor like you didnt notice until a

day after later - my main concern is damage to the floor ? ie

delamination/rot etc - does anyone have any views on this ?

have dried this out the best I can and am taking the van in for

a damp test on that area (just to make sure).

 

[Parksy]

I'm sorry to hear of both problems involving waste water on the floor.

The dealers should definitely replace the carpets in both cases and I hate to worry you but water leaks of this type almost always lead to some degree of floor delamination.

The problem is that the floor damage is not always apparent straight away so a good look at the floor and a damp test is needed.

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Another step to take is to threaten the dealer with adverse publicity ie local press, Watchdog on BBC, etc. No trader likes bad publicity and will generally bend over backwards to solve the problem rather than the risk of such publicity, especially if it is a large dealer who advertise nationally in the main magazines.

 

[TLC]

Thanks for all your great advice. Sorry to hear it has happened to you as well Steve. I have rang another local dealer today asking for their opinion & they agree with your comments, ie. damp test, replacement carpet, floor delamination. I will get in touch with my dealer tomorrow and see what they say. Will keep you all informed. Thanks again.

 

[STEVE_5041381]

Done my own damptest and the floor (under the lino) is wet 10%

also the rear corner of the van - my dealer says I have to wait

until my service (next year) to see if it dries out and he will

damp test then. My concerns are that how can the floor dry out

under the lino ? if it doesnt another year wet ! maybe I am wrong and it will I just hope for a hot summer he also says that

the floor has been treated so should not delaminate - do I believe him ?

 

[AnnM1]

Sorry to hear about the leak. However, if you have no joy in getting them to replace your carpet you might try sprinkling on some dry bicarbonate of soda, leave it overnight and vacuum off. An old-fashioned idea which might just get rid of the nasty smell.

Bicarb will only help get rid of the nasty smell not any further ongoing problem(s).

 

[TLC]

UPDATE

Have contacted my dealer & have said that I would like the carpet replaced not just cleaned and that I want a full damp test & inspection carried out with written confirmation re damage/no damage. I also told them that I will seek an idependant inspection & damp test to conifrm what they find or not find!!! Just in case they try to fob me off!!

They have rung today to say that they are sending me a sample carpet as they can't source the orginal carpet. Things look hopeful I think. However I will keep on top of the situation as I just don't completly trust them!!!

 

[Parksy]

TLC

I'm glad to hear that your dealer is sending a sample of carpet for your approval and I'd still try to get an independent damp / damage test done. Hopefully the dealer is acting in good faith so give them chance make matters right but you are right to stay on top of the situation. Let us know what happens as things progress.

STEVE

If the dealer maintains that your caravan is somehow treated against damp and delamination I would require proof if I were you.Has the area where the caravan walls meet the floor received this treatment too? What about the condition of the mastic seal between the floor and walls? The dealer has said that the floor should not delaminate but what action do they propose if this proves not to be the case?

Why do you have to wait until your caravan is serviced next?

I'm no expert but I wouldn't be very happy about the situation or the dealers response and would want answers to some searching questions.