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Mat Starling from Horsford in Norfolk decided to update the look of his 1880s cottage by doing some DIY.
What seemed like a straightforward job of ripping up the carpet on the top floor and laying down new wooden floor boards went disastrously wrong when he hit a nail through the mains water pipe and it ended up causing £5,500 of damage.
DIY disaster
Mr Starling's unfortunate experience is a classic example of a DIY disaster ¢ not knowing what you are hammering into and also forgetting where the stopcock is in the state of panic are typical pitfalls.
The consequences of Mr Starling's poor DIY job were a flooded living room, partially collapsed ceiling and many ruined contents such as TV, laptop, carpets and other furnishings.
What's more, the mistake led to the added inconvenience of the Starling family having to move out for a few days while the repairs were being carried out and the ceiling replaced.
Mat said "Looking back I can't believe the careless mistake led to such a mess. I am just eternally grateful I had insurance to cover me."
"The floor-laying was all going smoothly until I hit the nail through the mains water pipe. I heard a strange noise but didn't realise what had gone wrong until I heard my son calling from downstairs that it was raining from the ceiling.
Matt continued, "The panic set in and for a moment I couldn't remember where the stopcock was. By the time I had turned it off the damage had already been done. Luckily our insurance covered everything but the ordeal has definitely made me think twice before doing DIY."
Mat Starling's claim details:
• Escape of Water damage to both Buildings & Contents - Claim cost £5,500
• He has buildings and contents insurance with Norwich Union
• Current Annual Premium: £348.50
• Cover: He has buildings sum insured of £500,000, Contents sum insured at £55,000
