Water soaking brickwork from neighbour's leaking toilet

robgoingcrazy

My neighbour has an extension, and for some time water has been intermittently coming out of the bottom of this, going all over my patio and soaking into some of the bricks at the bottom of my back wall (ie back wall of house).

I asked the neighbour if he knew what was causing this and he said oh yeah, he has a leaking toilet cystern, he would get it sorted. A month later the water is still coming out.

Should I reiterate my polite request to the neighbour to get this fixed, or reiterate the request and mention solicitors, or just go straight to a solicitor?

We both own the respective properties. I pointed out to him that the leak is also soaking into his brickwork.

What is the severity of this kind of problem, I am slightly worried the bricks may start to go soft - would I be able to sue the neighbour for any costs?

Help would be appreciated!

SailorSam

I think you should see him again to ask if he's had any luck finding a plumber to fix the loo. Tell him you're worried over the damage it's doing to the brickwork. In the meantime can't you put some sort of temporary plastic barrier on your side.

robgoingcrazy

SailorSam wrote: »

I think you should see him again to ask if he's had any luck finding a plumber to fix the loo. Tell him you're worried over the damage it's doing to the brickwork. In the meantime can't you put some sort of temporary plastic barrier on your side.

That was my thinking to be honest. However the water, as well as coming out from the bottom of the wall, seems to be seeping through into the wall as well so I don't think much could be done to stop it apart from stopping the source.

sunflower_2

could you politely recommend a decent plummer to him?

may just spur him on a little

i would try everything else before involving a solicitor - you have to live next to this bloke

the_matrix

Tell him you friend had the same problem and this builder did a great job fixing it for a good price.

Edwardia

I would suggest contacting your insurers so they get in touch with his,who should pay up if they establish his leak is causing damage.

macman

Letter before action: give him 14 days to remedy the problem, which is just a sticking or worn ballcock probably-30 mins work for a plumber, or an easy DIY fix.
He's never going to fix it without some 'persuasion'.

southcoastrgi

you don't need to go down the legal route, a call to your local water co will sort it

evoke

Just ask to get it fixed politely but firmly. Point out that the water is seeping into your brickwork so if he doesn't want to get the leak fixed, tell him he needs to stop the water entering your property somehow.

Are you able to put any sort of obstacle in the way so at least your brickwork isn't getting soaked?

Ideally, if you could find a way to channel the water back onto his property then it might spur him into action.

Avoid the legal route until all else fails!

fluffymuffy

robgoingcrazy wrote: »

I am slightly worried the bricks may start to go soft

I'm certain your bricks won't go soft. Unless they're made of mud.

Dimey

I would have thought that if the water continues then the bricks and mortar might leach white salts which would sit on the surface of the bricks and not look nice.

I hope the water isn't breaching your damp proof coarse. If so then it may cause damp over time.

I'd go see the chap again and ask him to mend the leak within a week. Give him a list of local plumbers.
If you think it necessary then hand him a letter at the same time stating that the leak has persisted for one month (or how ever long) after you requested he stop wetting your property so now you are asking for the repair to be done within the week. Warn that if any damp is caused to your property as result of the neighbour persistently wetting your property, then you'll look to the neighbour for the cost of making good. Keep a copy of the letter.