AdrianAce said:
If the pipe burst without warning, it may have been no-one's fault and just one of life's accidents for which the law does not hold anyone responsible (which is why you have insurance).
Really? I would have thought you would be responsible for maintaining your property and for any damage caused when it failed. I take your point about it “just being on of life's accidents” but if you're not covered by insurance then it becomes “just one of those things you have to get your cheque book out for.”