No.107
Q.: sir, i have recently made a claim on my household insurance, clearly stating that i was losing water one cubic metre per day and that i have received an estimate from a reputable pool company in Paralimni. they sent someone from Nicosia with an interpreter who took some photos and said he would put in a report. two weeks later we phoned the insurance company and asked them what was happening ,they then sent someone else to take some pictures and to tell us we were not insured for a burst pipe. i said my policy clearly states cover for burst pipes etc. why they sent two people out before telling me i wasn't covered have no idea. when i asked them to explain what my swimming pool was covered for ,she fire and earthquake i said why would i want to cover a swimming pool for fire when the only reason its there for is to hold water. she then on to explain i am covered for any damage the burst pipe causes. my question for you mr loizou is would digging up the ground to find and repair the leak, would that count as damage caused by the leak?. as you can appreciate this amount of water escaping will be causing untold damage underground ,or would i have to wait until the ground collapses before any claim would be met? thanking in anticipation of you reply.
Kind regards
barry jane

A.: As far as I know and without studying your insurance contract, I agree with you that what you have is burst pipe which should be covered. The cover refers to the repair of the pipe. Some insurance co’s cover in addition “escape of water”. In this case you can claim the cost of repair as a consequence of the burst pipe and water loss. In either case I am told, you will not be compensated for the water loss (water bill). You must study your contract as there is confusion on what a burst pipe is and what it covers. I do suggest that depending on your insurance contract, you insist either directly or through a solicitor.
A.P. Loizou

3/28846-td
10.6.09

No.108
Q.: Dear Sir,

I wonder if you might help with our problem.

About three and half years ago we took procession of our bungalow in Leviada Cyprus.

Like many properties there we had minor problems with damp on the external walls, which our builder informed us would dry out over the next year or two and were very common in Cyprus. Some of the early signs appear to have dried out but others have got worse.

Over the last winter period with all the rain, we now have damp patches extensively to the rear walls and also along the side and front in places. This damp is now causing the render/internal plaster to fall off in a number of places and looks very unsightly.

We do not live in our bungalow in Cyprus ourselves but my very elderly parent-in-laws do. The damp is now affecting their health and I need to do something about it.

We did have a British traditional damp proof course installed during the construction but are unable to confirm its full integrity, beside which the method of construction in Cyprus appears to bridge the DPC both inside and out with the render/plaster.

Can you make any suggestions as to what I can do to elevate the problem, which you aware have proved successful in Cyprus with this type of construction?

I have seen advertised, various companies who are carrying out injected DPC which sound good in the advertisement but have no strong Guarantees like in the UK.

I am not sure that an injected DPC would work with the hollow block and render construction used in Cyprus, what do you think?

I of course understand that you may have covered this point before but would be most grateful if you could direct me to your previous answer, if this is the case.

We always read your articles when ever we visit Cyprus but to date have not seen damp covered.

I have attached a couple of Photographs showing the problems we are experiencing which are now much worse.

I would like to thank you in anticipation of your help in this matter.

Kindest regards


David & Vicki


A.: Very difficult to address your question without inspection. I suggest that an engineer inspects the property and make suggestions (our engineer could help should you so wish). I agree with you that injecting a d.p.c. is not the answer. From what I could make out from the photos the problem could be minor e.g. sealing of skirting tiles around the walls etc.
Best regards

A.P. Loizou

3/28847-td

No.109
Q.: Dear Sir, I am a member of a committee for a residents block of flats, we would like to know if there is a guide manual for committees so that they know what they can do and not do without braking any laws, and can it be in english, also is there a office like in the UK called the citizens advice office, and were is in Limassol.
Yours C Traynor

A.: I am not aware of any manual – We could provide you with one (for a fee I am afraid) in English as a guidance for you. Much of the manual will depend what your sales contract/general agreement stipulates.
A.P. Loizou

3/28863-td

www.aloizou.com.cy

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