Plumbing work three years ago, leaking tap caused water damage. Advice (Kanton ZH)

https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1d6kl27

Posted by tim_in_ch

1 Comment

  1. We had a lovely new kitchen put in pretty much exactly three years ago. We have had no problems with it since then. This afternoon my wife heard dripping noises coming from behind the sink. I took out the multi-bin thing and saw that a three way tap was leaking – I tightened up the green faucet and it stopped immediately. Feeling pretty proud of myself I then checked the floor and next room and there is some pretty meaningful water damage that will need sorting. Dehumidifier is running full pelt as we speak. We have neighbours downstairs who are very nice and I’ll broach it with them tomorrow. However, I can’t help feeling the way this tap was installed that this was inevitable. The bottom-most tap is entirely redundant and wasn’t physically covered / stoppered, so with time the pressure gradually opened the faucet. I am a surgeon and in my line of work this kind of clearly avoidable event would have been a “Kunstfehler” and would be up to me to fix however long ago it was. The paperwork from the kitchen build states various guarantees but most appear to be 2 years (we are at 3) but I expect there is some legal convention to fall back on here. Any plumbers / lawyers out there with advice?