(storming)
Enough of the wibbly wobbly existential philosophising, time to point and shout!!!
What I am pointing at is not in fact:
The stuff flapping like a tinfoil wrapper is lead sheeting about 5mm thick.
So it was a severe, nae very severe, storm… I accept.
Do I complain about the rain of slates around my house? No, many others lost slates and more. And, in a spot of positive news, my chimney stayed put.
But what I am pointing at is the numerous other lead (skews, they’re called skews) clad buildings, all around us, none of which have lost their less-than-one-year-old ,lead fittings.
Not – best – pleased, might be a slight understatement.
Of course longstanding readers will know than “Not best pleased” usually results in some lengthy phone calls:
…”Not covered by your warranty?”… “Act of God(god/gods)?”….”building trade in chaos, can’t be expected to pay…” This resulted in some very serious verbal pointing, and a bucket of accusation.. “shoddy workmanship…disreputable practise…shower of scoundrels…..” ( the word may not have been “scoundrels”) *
My later conversation with trading standards, was unfortunately, predicatble.
“yes the wind was very strong”…”well because nothing else failed, on adjacent buildings”…”proof of negligent work?”… “another tradesman to inspect the work and testify (formally in writing), that it was poorly done” …
I had to explain patiently that it had taken over a year to find a tradesman in the first instance who would even quote for the work. Then they had to explain patiently to me, that even if I could find this roofing paragon, it would only open the door to disputing the validity of the work… it was no less than I expected.
Still this is what one has insurance for. I’ve never subscribed to the school of “not claiming”, we give them money to be there when required:
“…where are these loose panels sir?”… ” so not solar panels?”…” skews? s-k-e-w-s?”… ” these lead panels sir, what makes you think they are a risk?”… “so you’re saying they’re quite heavy?”.
The insurance agent was, in fact , helpful, but you might have hoped that someone on the “specialist team for storm damage in Scotland”, would be a little more familiar with some building aspects (“like a tenement? What’s a tenement sir?”).
The good news is, they’re sending someone tomorrow. I expect I’ll be blown away.
Next week on IaDL: God alone knows.
- I’ve skipped over the “First thing tomorrow….9 am prompt…later this afternoon…tomorrow around 10:30….”that preceded the (hysterical) “by the way how are you paying for this cause the warranty won’t apply”
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 