Building Insurance

[gina1960uk]

Hi does anyone know if major work to a chimney is covered by BUILDING INSURANCE?

Not totally sure what the problem is yet ....but it could need re-lining and more.....

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Lonnie]

I'm not a builder, but I do know, that if its 'fair wear and tear', and the lining would probably come under that, then its not covered by insurance. If buildersmate is around, he's the best person to comment, bit I do believe i'm right.

[buildersmate]

Thanks for the promo, Lonnie. I'm not sure either. I suspect it is not covered. Have a look in your policy document Gina amongst the exclusion clauses.

[jake-the-peg]

I very much doubt that it'd be covered but the devil's in the detail.

I don't know how old your house is butif it's an old house a common reason for relining is if the parging is coming away. That's a lining to older chimneys of lime and horsehair etc. Over the years with wear and sweeping it starts to come away and you let smoke smells getting away typicaly in upper bedrooms. You then start to get a fire risk in the roof cavity. This is a major cause of thatch fires. Of course this is only an issue if you use the chimney.

Chimneys are also quite notorious for taking a battering from the elements and starting to lean then you need scaffolding up and to have them rebuilt.

Does this link help?

http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/article038.htm