Can I make a claim?

[proudmary]

Hi all, about 4 yrs ago my little girl left the bathroom taps on before we went out, when I got home the bathroom was in inches of water, this had soaked through the floor and into the kitchen below, the insurance company came out and paid for the kitchen to be redecorated, and a new stair carpet fitted. I now have a problem with the bathroom floor, the floor round the toilet is very 'spongey' and I believe this stems from the original flood, is there any way I could claim for this or would I be wasting the time of the ins co?
Any advice much appreciated, many thanks in advance

[Count-A-Strong]

Proving it was due to the original flood would be almost impossible. Are you sure there isnt a small leak from somewhere, e.g. where the inlet pipe goes into the bottom of the toilet cistern?

[fairkatrina]

I would be very, very surprised if this was anything to do with the original leak; if it had been leaking for 4 years your joists will be rotten and chances are you'd have gone through the floor long before now. As it's near the toilet I'd say that's what's probably causing the problem now, if you can, lift the floor around it and check it's not leaking. If there is another leak you can claim for escape of water (usually covered on standard policies) but it will be a new claim, with an excess (if applicable) and your premiums will probably go up. If I were you I'd try to investigate the cause and extent first, and then consider claiming. If you have trace and access on your policy and you do decide to claim then your insurers will cover any damage done while you tried to locate the leak, otherwise you'd have to cover it yourself.