Help Needed: Leak Found after Replacing Carpets in Recently Purchased Truganina Home

LRisingstar2103 on 23/06/2024 - 21:22
Last edited 24/06/2024 - 08:49 by 1 other user

Hello OzBargainers, we recently bought a house in Truganina, VIC, with settlement happening last week.

A building and pest inspection was done before the purchase, and it showed no significant issues for a 15-year-old house, just minor wear and tear. The previous owner had replaced all the carpets.

Since I didn’t like the carpets, I hired a tradie to install floorboards. However, as soon as he removed the carpets and tiles, he found a leak under the kitchen cabinet/concrete. There is no water under the sink mount. It doesn’t appear major, but the tradie has stopped work until it’s fixed.

I’m planning to get a plumber to inspect it, but I’m concerned the previous owner might have hidden this issue intentionally. If it turns out to be a major defect, do I have any recourse to claim some money from the previous owner? Should the building inspector have found this? I’m confused and worried about potential high costs if it's a structural leak.

Any advice on what the leak might be and the best way forward would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • MS Paint on 23/06/2024 - 21:26
    +1

    Is there a dishwasher or tap on the other side of the cabinet?

    • Risingstar2103 on 23/06/2024 - 21:27

      The dishwasher has been removed. I bought the house without dishwasher.

      • MS Paint on 23/06/2024 - 21:30
        +7

        Yeah I just saw the other pictures. I forgot to scroll.

        I'm guessing the dishwasher water supply tap is leaking or leaked prior to or during removal by the previous owner.

        That cutout in the side skirting is for the 2 dishwasher hoses and power supply.

        The dishwasher tap and hosed likely leaked during removal. There's probably a few litres of water under the cabinet base. Have a look through the hole if you can. It will eventually dry out but may warp the composite board under the laminate. Carefully hold a heat gun in there for 20 minutes to dry it out.

        If someone knows what they are doing they would typically have a few towels on hand to absorb any unavoidable leaks on removal.

        Why did they take the dishwasher? Who does that? Here buy my $700k house but you can't have my $300 dishwasher. WTF?

        • Risingstar2103 on 23/06/2024 - 21:39
          +3

          It seems to be the leak from when they removed the dishwasher. The dishwasher wasn't working initially, so the real estate agent told the owner not to replace it and reduce the price.

          • MS Paint on 23/06/2024 - 21:43
            +5

            @Risingstar2103: That makes sense.

            Just try and dry up as much as possible with a heat gun or hair dryer through the hole. If there's no more water there 12 hours later then you're all good to go.

    • HeWhoKnows on 24/06/2024 - 07:53
      +26

      Dear OP
      1. A small leak is NOT a major defect.
      2. Its up to the purchaser to conduct appropriate inspections BEFORE settlement
      3. Homes dont come with guarantees.

      As Muzeeb has suggested, look for leaks in the kitchen area.
      Should be a simple fix.
      best case its just an old "spill"
      Worst case it could be a burst pipe in the wall.
      But again its not a major defect!

      So chill out and forget that aveue

      • BigLeviathan on 25/06/2024 - 12:24

        I like you already! you seem like a calm and kind of person that I'd like to hangout with in person!

        Good suggestion, bro/sis!

        • tessel on 25/06/2024 - 23:46
          +1

          Please, it's 2024 stop with the assumptions. Bro/sis/x

          • BigLeviathan on 26/06/2024 - 09:30

            @tessel: LOL…
            AFAIK, there are two genders when people born, either male or female!

            But sure… it's 2024, right?!

  • AustriaBargain on 23/06/2024 - 21:29
    +7

    Good chance the previous owner had no idea. Looks relatively minor. Why not get new cabinets for your new kitchen while you're at it?

    • Risingstar2103 on 23/06/2024 - 21:35

      The existing laminate bench top is worn out. So, we are replacing with a stone. I am not sure if I am spending a lot here. I am paying 10 grand to for 70 sqm of hybrid floor. stone bench top and laundry bench top. Any idea how much the cabinetry cost? its a 2.8 metre.

      • AustriaBargain on 23/06/2024 - 21:38
        +9

        No idea. Any house I've even rented should have been condemned by the city.

      • JimB on 24/06/2024 - 11:37
        +3

        10 grand to for 70 sqm of hybrid floor. stone bench top and laundry bench top.

        That's a decent price these days.

      • brad1-8tsi on 24/06/2024 - 22:22
        +1

        The cabinets look knackered. Stone benchtops will be like lipstick on a pig

      • chocolatelover on 25/06/2024 - 04:52
        -3

        10k for 70sqm- you are being torn a new one!!! I've just bought 250sqm for a new build for 10k!!! Also unfortunately you can't claim a cent from previous owner- "CAVEAT EMPTOR"

        • mauricem on 25/06/2024 - 11:21

          did you miss where they said it includes stone bench tops for kitchen and laundry

          • chocolatelover on 25/06/2024 - 16:32
            +1

            @mauricem: Yes obviously did not read that - my bad for not having my glasses on at 4am!!! You de man JimB.

          • chocolatelover on 25/06/2024 - 16:34

            @mauricem: yes clearly didn't have them glasses on at 4am- my bad dude!

        • JimB on 25/06/2024 - 11:41
          +1

          You bought it for $40sqm.

          Unfortunately, it doesn't lay itself.

          • chocolatelover on 25/06/2024 - 16:36

            @JimB: No bought it for $49 per sqm actually and I'm well enough informed to know that it doesn't lay itself- thanks Jimbo for your concern though

            • JimB on 25/06/2024 - 16:39

              @chocolatelover: So it was $49 per sqm but you got 250sqm of it for $10k???

              That's a fantastic deal!

    • Sinnerator on 24/06/2024 - 08:31
      +1

      looks relatively minor (famous last words), until someone who knows what they are doing investigates

  • teacherer on 23/06/2024 - 21:37
    +10

    Why is that so concerning? Fix it and move on

    • Risingstar2103 on 23/06/2024 - 21:41
      -8

      I am worried if its a structural damage under the concrete base and if its a major damage, can I ask the previous owner to cover some of the costs?

      • MS Paint on 23/06/2024 - 21:44
        +13

        Don't be so dramatic. Look through the hole and apply common sense.

      • teacherer on 23/06/2024 - 21:54
        +3

        Water won't hurt a 'concrete base'. The frame, gyprock or cabinets though

      • JFFTech on 23/06/2024 - 22:10
        +11

        Even if there is major damage, you don't have any rights to claim the expense from the previous owner after the settlement.

        • MS Paint on 23/06/2024 - 22:13
          +6

          And the building inspector would have had you sign a disclaimer that they can't be responsible for shit you discover later that they missed.

          • vchar on 25/06/2024 - 14:05

            @MS Paint: personally, I didn't use them when I bought my house because I have no idea what they can help with the statement you pointed out.

      • ttt888 on 24/06/2024 - 09:46
        +11

        If we live in a world that we can claim house defect from previous owner.. LOL it would be chaos…

      • Nucleus Acumbens on 24/06/2024 - 09:50

        No

      • Ocker on 24/06/2024 - 11:23

        "can I ask the previous owner to cover some of the costs" - dream on !

  • oscargamer on 23/06/2024 - 22:36
    +11

    You have no claim against the previous owner.

    Caveat emptor.

    You might have a claim against your building inspector. Depends on the scope of their inspection.

    • DoctorCalculon on 24/06/2024 - 19:59
      +3

      You might have a claim against your building inspector. Depends on the scope of their inspection.

      Just like lawyers, you will find that they are covered by their professional indemnity.

      • oscargamer on 24/06/2024 - 20:29

        Probably.

        • Hasbulla on 25/06/2024 - 09:23
          +1

          is there anything more useless in this universe than these inspections? They literally walk with an iPad that tells them what photos to take. Prints out a report. Utter rubbish. Charges you a grand or three. All sorts of disclaimers in this report. Next to the next victi… ehm, client.

      • OzzyOzbourne on 25/06/2024 - 23:39

        And/or get out clauses

  • AngoraFish on 23/06/2024 - 23:37
    +4

    Typical leak. Fix it and move on with your life.

    If your structural slab can't cope with a simple leak from your plumbing you have bigger issues.

  • payless69 on 24/06/2024 - 08:03
    +9

    Member Since
    11 hours 4 min ago

    wrong forum
    Whirlpool deals with water pools

  • jv on 24/06/2024 - 09:14

    If it turns out to be a major defect, do I have any recourse to claim some money from the previous owner?

    How long was the warranty in your contract of sale?

    • ttt888 on 24/06/2024 - 09:47

      15 years is way over the new house period.. And if its new house the warranty is with the builder not the owner.

  • kiitos on 24/06/2024 - 10:24
    +1

    How long has it been between the dishwasher being removed and now? Days, weeks?

  • JimB on 24/06/2024 - 11:40
    +2

    Did the vendor tell you they were going to take the dishwasher?

    It looks minor to me. Could be the tap not closed off.

    The good use is that the water isn't coming from a shower, external wall or the roof. That can be expensive to fix. This looks like a non-issue.

    Anyway, welcome to home ownership.

    Tenants think that home owners and landlords have it easy. Not the case.

    • gromit on 25/06/2024 - 19:16

      I just sold my existing house while I am building, so living in a rental and man do I love being able to call the agent to fix the leaking tap, broken dishwasher, service the air con etc. It is so pleasant knowing my costs for maintaining the property are pretty much identical week to week. I am sure that will all change once I move into new build and all the issues that will entail, had forgotten after 15 years of living in homes I owned how nice it can be not to have those random expenses popping up anymore.

  • pharkurnell on 24/06/2024 - 12:01

    Get this bloke to check it out…

    https://www.youtube.com/@Siteinspections

    Some of the stuff he finds on NEW unoccupied buildings is criminal

    • lgacb08 on 24/06/2024 - 13:03
      -2

      Nah, he is charging you arm and leg for it and resolve nothing. He's just another lazy tradie found a way to make money by talking bullshit instead of doing it.

      • pharkurnell on 24/06/2024 - 14:40
        +3

        True… He isnt fixing shit…

        But gives you some real ammo and picks faults that the average person would never have or know about.

      • DoctorCalculon on 24/06/2024 - 20:02
        +3

        He's just another lazy tradie found a way to make money by talking bullshit instead of doing it.

        FFS! He is a site inspector.

      • zorodluffy on 25/06/2024 - 22:31
        +1

        Non compliant comment

      • Cusack on 26/06/2024 - 07:58

        Finding problems that the untrained eye cant is GOLD

  • 2esc on 24/06/2024 - 17:17
    +1

    Hard to really tell from those photos but leak doesn't look major is your water meter moving much?

    Most likely need to knock a hole in the wall below the sink you might be lucky and its connected to the sink.

    Years ago my parents got their bathroom renovated and a leak developed on the other side of the wall in the kitchen went through the back of a cabinet where it lined up to the bath tub taps and fixed it.

  • Euphemistic on 24/06/2024 - 18:46
    +1

    Looks minor. Ive seen worse in houses and they survived once the leak was sorted.

    Youll have a hard time getting anything from the vendors. Assuming you had a building inspection then possibly you could get something from their insurance, but it would have to be majorly catashtophic and quite obvious. Building inspections are non destructive and can be a bit hit and miss finding stuff like the minor leak in your photos. They all have a clause in the report that says 'did my best, but no backsies'

  • Bren20 on 24/06/2024 - 20:02
    +1

    The kickboard of the cabinet will likely pry out, do that and have a look at what's leaking. It looks minor to me though.

  • john_conner on 24/06/2024 - 20:03
    +4
    1. Get a leak test done by a plumber.
    2. After fixing any leaks, dry floor and move on
    3. What sort of structural damage are you suspecting? Set concrete doesn’t get damaged by water…
    4. Counts your lucky stars you found this earlier rather than later. You are spending $$$ on purchase and reno, this is rounding error.
  • oO0Dam0Oo on 24/06/2024 - 20:09

    Advice… don't waste your time or energy pursuing legal avenues. The law does very little to support the purchaser in these types of instances. Fix it and move on.

  • Windows98 on 24/06/2024 - 20:17
    +8

    Welcome to home ownership.

    Its expensive and stressful.

    Enjoy.

  • FlyingMiffy on 24/06/2024 - 21:25
    +4

    Before jumping to conclusions, get a plumber (or a leak specialist) to do an assessment. That water looks fresh and the concrete doesnt appear to have long term stain marks so get a professional opinion.

  • MyLoginName on 25/06/2024 - 09:08

    Is the leak covered by insurance?

    • JimB on 25/06/2024 - 11:42
      +2

      the leak itself isn't covered by insurance. Damage caused by the leak should be. In this case here isn't no damage.

      • Poor Ass on 25/06/2024 - 13:44
        +1

        OP advises there is damage to their precious concrete floor

        • JimB on 25/06/2024 - 14:33
          +1

          for the $1,000 excess, some guy with come with a hair dryer

        • Hangryuman on 25/06/2024 - 15:06

          'OP advises there is damage to their precious' feelings

  • Hangryuman on 25/06/2024 - 15:05

    pic looks like the water is fresh and a recent one-off leak with no long history of soaking in stains, or damage to the wall board. So I'd say if it's from a removed d/w tap, then check it out to make sure it won't leak in future. Worst case is probably ripping off a wall panel, fixing the pipe, and sticking the wall panel back up. No biggie.

    • gromit on 25/06/2024 - 16:36

      agree this looks like new and minor. sadly have seen what unnoticed water leakage does with even just a month or two of being unnoticed and it won't look pretty and clean like that.

  • KaTst3R on 25/06/2024 - 20:24

    If this leak is the only thing to worry about, you got lucky….

    Enjoy the new home.

  • Windows7forever on 26/06/2024 - 07:04

    Risingdamp2103

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 26/06/2024 - 08:15
    +1

    To answer your question there is Nothing you can do boss

  • bigbadboogieman on 26/06/2024 - 08:48
    +1

    Welcome to the world of home ownership. Things will break, malfunction, stop working, require maintenance. It's part of the game… This looks minor however a plumber will be able to advise. If it's a burst pipe then you insurance would cover it however it doesn't look like a burst.

  • foursaken on 26/06/2024 - 15:25

    Step 1 - buy a property.
    Step 2 - get a plumber in. You have NO idea what the last people have done.

    I've owned two properties now. One was cabled by.. not an electrician. The other had a very active roof gutter leak. Never assume the previous owners gave a crap.

    Way too much Bunnings home gaming going on these days by people who have no clue of their limitations. And there's no such thing as a minor water leak.

    • johnno07 on 26/06/2024 - 17:39

      no such thing as a minor water leak.

      Found the plumber.

      • foursaken on 27/06/2024 - 10:03
        +1

        I do recognise there's a difference between water on the floor and an actively leaking doohickey, but I'm also the victim of a washing machine and dishwasher that let go in a yellowtounge house with tiles and sprayfoam floor insultation. Ask me how that went. Water is the devils work when it's outside of where it's supposed to be.

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