glockanator Report post Posted May 6, 2015 So long story short since I live in an apartment I have to leave all my leather stuff and my dad's place. Yesterday after having a to take my wife to the hospital to have a CT scan on a mass she has I find out my dad's basement flooded. I have all the leather (about 6 hides) in a box rolled under a window. Well you guessed it that is right where the water from the neighbors sprinkler box poured in. I am not sure about other states but herr they put a little fertilizer in the landscape water. I haven't seen the hides since they dried out but I am pretty sure they will not be able to use for the projects I had lined up to do. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor Report post Posted May 6, 2015 You're probably talking about veg tan leather not chrome tan, right? Not exactly sure, but there are ways of cleaning them, unfortunately none of them are without chemicals. At least not the ones I know. Good luck and I'm feeling with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirkba Report post Posted May 6, 2015 Glockanator, I am not sure where in the world you are from? South Africa is deemed a third world country, but we keep up with modern trends - such as insurance! If it was my "loss" I would surely contact my insurer and submit a claim for "water damage" - most policies have this section as a standard clause of cover. Trust this will be the remedy to your problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TexasJack Report post Posted May 7, 2015 You might put some Listerine (or knockoff brand) on them to keep mold from forming. They do get wet during manufacture, so you may be able to salvage. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted May 7, 2015 Posted Today, 04:21 AM Glockanator, I am not sure where in the world you are from? South Africa is deemed a third world country, but we keep up with modern trends - such as insurance! If it was my "loss" I would surely contact my insurer and submit a claim for "water damage" - most policies have this section as a standard clause of cover. Trust this will be the remedy to your problem. Dirkba I don't know where YOUR from if you don't realize South Africa is White, Affluent, and Cosmopolitan. I don' think you answer was appropriate to someone who'd lost lost that kind of money, but I'm sure to you that's nothing. Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatherwytch Report post Posted May 7, 2015 Most insurance policies will not cover that loss unless it is a foundation leak. Then if you can get an insurance company to cover that on home owners insurance it means an expensive rider has to be initiated. He would not be able to put that on his leather in his fathers house. His father would have to have that policy and that rider which is not easy to get. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor Report post Posted May 7, 2015 Dirkba I don't know where YOUR from if you don't realize South Africa is White, Affluent, and Cosmopolitan. I don' think you answer was appropriate to someone who'd lost lost that kind of money, but I'm sure to you that's nothing. Cheryl Chery, I was keeping my mouth shut... The comment was nonsense, but for the fact that insurances cover a lot and sometimes even stupidity - but leaving the window open and having water of the neighbors sprinkler coming in is neither stupidity nor that kind of water damage which would be protected by insurances. First off, the neighbor caused the damage due to negligence. Don't think he did that on purpose... That's what liability insurances are for, not household or whatever coverage. But I'm sure in South Africa you can be covered for almost anything. Good thing they don't ask for huge premiums. Oh I forgot, claiming it to the insurance doesn't solve the problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted May 7, 2015 Thor I'm glad you didn't keep your mouth shut. You are absolutely right. The neighbor is at fault and fault nor money will cure the problem. The man lost his working materials and will be unable to work until he can afford to replace them. Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirkba Report post Posted May 7, 2015 Glockanator, I am not sure where in the world you are from? South Africa is deemed a third world country, but we keep up with modern trends - such as insurance! If it was my "loss" I would surely contact my insurer and submit a claim for "water damage" - most policies have this section as a standard clause of cover. Trust this will be the remedy to your problem. Thor & Cheryl - why the animosity -?? My insurance does cover another persons' stupidity....for whatever negligence - specifically WATER DAMAGE. The co payment to such a claim would be a mere $25, but the "loss" in terms of the hides far exceed that. Not knowing where Glockanator resides (he has not indicated it in his profile) and assuming that insurance might differ from country to country I was upfront in stating that being a SA resident one could recover the financial loss sufferd. Most people tend to overlook the obvious remedy. His statement "I haven't seen the hides since they dried out but I am pretty sure they will not be able to use for the projects I had lined up to do." led me to believe there was no way of salvaging the hides for further use. So contrary to your personal attack Cheryl "....but I'm sure to you that's nothing" I DO FEEL FOR MY FELLOW LEATHER WORKER!! No matter where in the world he or she may be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glockanator Report post Posted May 7, 2015 The flood was caused by a neighbors sprinkler system. Yes the insurance will cover "some" things but I am not holding my breath on them replacing the sides of veg tan. I finally got a good look at the pieces last night and I could still use them for small projects but not for what they were intended for. The water stains all go at a diagonal across the leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted May 7, 2015 Dirkba that comment was made according to my perception of what kind of yearly income you might have, not how you feel. I can't know that. And I can't know your income which is why I said my perceptions. I thought your tone was condescending. If I misunderstood any of this, my apologies. Just stating how I read 'em. Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted May 8, 2015 Dirkba that comment was made according to my perception of what kind of yearly income you might have, not how you feel. I can't know that. And I can't know your income which is why I said my perceptions. I thought your tone was condescending. If I misunderstood any of this, my apologies. Just stating how I read 'em. Cheryl What you perceive as the income of ANY member of this site is irrelevant. To comment on it is judgemental. Take your judgements elsewhere. This is not your thread to vent........ A user has a loss due to water damage and posts it here, and you guys choose to derail it with an totally off topic disagreement over nationality, race and affluence.......Grow up kids. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted May 8, 2015 And you response is ON topic. Perhaps you should do some growing. Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leatherwytch Report post Posted May 8, 2015 I hate to say this Dirkba, but there is no where in Canada or North America you can get insurance to cover that for $25. My tenant insurance I pay $800 a year and it doesn't cover any of that. Of course if I was extremely wealthy I could get the insurance that may cover that for an extra $1000 a year. Leather would still not be covered anyway because it is considered an expendable product. Not all insurance polices are created equal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor Report post Posted May 8, 2015 Nope you couldn't Randi. Couldn't even do that with my farm insurance and they cover a huge amount of stupidity. Anyhow, whatever the insurance covers or not doesn't really matter in this case. Question is, what can be done to save some of the leather or a whole hide even? So cleaning methods, that aren't too aggressive or where the cleaning agent doesn't remain in the hide for an extended amount of time. I suggested to try oxalic acid on a scrap piece as it is used as a disinfectant as well and kills bacteria. And unfortunately this is all I can come up with on this case. Everything else I wouldn't want to use on veg tan leather. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Troy I Report post Posted May 8, 2015 What if you were to wet the whole hide and then let it dry...I have had water marks on holsters and have done this and it helped some to blend the discoloration in the leather. Just a suggestion...what do you have to lose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chiefjason Report post Posted May 9, 2015 natural or pre dyed? If natural, make a holster and see if the water damage shows through. Or just finish a small square of that leather. If pre dyed, could you dye it black and still use it? Just thinking out loud because I would not plan on insurance doing something. Hate to say it, but if the neighbors insurance does not cover you might want to look into a small claims case. But I would sit down with your dad first. That could make for some bad blood with the neighbors when they find out how much a side of leather is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted May 9, 2015 if the neighbors insurance does not cover you might want to look into a small claims case. But I would sit down with your dad first. That could make for some bad blood with the neighbors when they find out how much a side of leather is. This. Up my way, I don't think insurance would be much use (even in a flood, you'd need to have specific flood insurance). But the neighbor's actions (or lack of action) could certainly be grounds for 'relief'. But it would require civil action. Around here, for amounts under $1000, just wouldn't be worth a civil case (unless it was habitual) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted May 10, 2015 (edited) If the neighbour was negligent in sprinkling the house, it is not the same as a flood. This would be the neighbours fault which is why insurance policies have liability insurance. The cost would likely eventually be born by the neighbours insurance, as the neighbour is liable for his actions, and he shot a hose through his neighbours window.....not maliciously of course... The liablility insurance is there to cover just these types of incidents. In British Columbia, Canada, in order to get a mortgage, you need insurance which includes a certain amount of liability. I would think the best way to start is go over to the neighbours with your dad and try to work out some compensation privately and neighbourlike. I have to say, however, that it would be nice to hear that you got a cheque from the insurance man. They make waaaayyyy to much money and someone should get some back.. Edited May 10, 2015 by TinkerTailor Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boriqua Report post Posted May 10, 2015 I wonder if it didnt get moldy could you just reintroduce some oil. I have had leather that was around for a bit and oiled it up lightly with pure neatsfoot oil and left it alone for a week and was able to use it just fine with no ill effects. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glockanator Report post Posted May 22, 2015 Sorry for not updating this. my parents are meeting with the adjuster on Friday (tomorrow) I should find out something before the weekend. I have talked with the neighbor and he said they would cover any cost that the adjuster doesnt. When I find out more I will let y'all know. Thanks for all the great advic. The worst part is I got my newly used tippmann boss but don't have a place to use it or know where any of my projects ended up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TinkerTailor Report post Posted May 22, 2015 Sorry for not updating this. my parents are meeting with the adjuster on Friday (tomorrow) I should find out something before the weekend. I have talked with the neighbor and he said they would cover any cost that the adjuster doesnt. When I find out more I will let y'all know. Thanks for all the great advic. The worst part is I got my newly used tippmann boss but don't have a place to use it or know where any of my projects ended up. That's really good to hear that everyone is being neighbourly......Its rare these days. The tipman is "portable". Set it up on a sunny afternoon in a park somewhere and get that arm pump on....lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BondoBobCustomSaddles Report post Posted May 22, 2015 (edited) Troy's advice is solid. I often get water on parts of a saddle when I am working on another part or am forming a piece. It is common, I use a nice wet cloth and wipe it over the whole piece and let it dry evenly to get rid of the marks. Works well, you might try it. As for the rest of the posts, as soon as I read Dirkba's comment I thought to myself this is going to go south in a hurry! Just sayin' while probably not meant that way, it did sound condescending. I would have probably taken offence by it myself. Bob Edited May 22, 2015 by BondoBobCustomSaddles Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
glockanator Report post Posted June 23, 2015 I got word today that insurance will cover all the leather that was lost. Now if they could work a little faster on getting the shop finished so I can get back to making stuff! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirkba Report post Posted June 24, 2015 (edited) glockanator, That's GREAT feedback and I am very happy that your loss is being compensated. Once again I am going to stick my neck out....since the insurance company may take the leather after settlement speak to the loss adjuster (assessor) and make them an offer to buy the leather back. I know this sounds crazy....but there is method in my madness! Insurance companies put "salvaged items" such as your leather on auction to recover part of the claim expenses. By talking to them in advance you might be able to get the leather for a fraction of the settlement amount (sometimes for as low as 25%). That to me is buying leather at a HUGE discount! Then you could consider applying some of the remedies suggested by others on the forum - and as indicated "what have you got to lose" Being veg tanned I am sure that soaking the hide(s) completely in water and left to dry will remove or dull the stains and the leather should be good to use again. Edited June 24, 2015 by dirkba Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
