Water soaking brickwork from neighbour's leaking toilet

robgoingcrazy

Thanks I will do!

robgoingcrazy

Baffled now, British Gas man came, said the water can't be anything to do with my plumbing, as the walls have a cavity and it's impossible for water to get through...

I've had this discussion about the cavities on my solid walls before, been told they are solid, but he said they have a 25mm cavity?

Said he can fix the dripping pipe thinggy though...

He said I need to get a builder in as could be caused by the neighbours flat roof, but as I've said before, it does this when there has been no rain for DAYs, everywhere else is bone dry.

Baffling :mad:

robgoingcrazy

I asked the helpful British Gas man (who replaced the pressure valve on the boiler and pressure now back to normal) what his opinion was and he said he was 100% certain the water can't be originating from my property.

There is some kind of plastic overflow pipe above the neighbour's flat roofed extension, quite near the edge, and the BG man also said it might be possible the roof felt is worn and water is finding its way through the gap and finding its way out through that corner as pictured. He also said the extension looks like it was built by someone called Jack, or with a handy Stetson and horse...

So I am back to square one with a neighbour who won't sort the problem till he gets paid. On the 12th of never.

So back to my original question I suppose...

robgoingcrazy

I don't think he's going to have helped matters if he hasn't been truthful about where his toilet is given the location of the plastic overflow pipe. Will shoot a pic tomorrow when it's light, I tried to get up to have a look at his roof but my stepladders aren't tall enough...

Also am just going to mention here that I asked the British Gas man whether the issue with the valve would have caused inhibitor to leak, and he said no.

I assume these chaps know what they're talking about, I am not a practical person, I know very little about pipes or building, hence why I keep asking here!

JohnB47

Well, good news on the C/H front but not so good re the damp problem.

It's probably best now to think in terms of external sources. That pipe you mention might be a toilet overflow. If you want to progress further yourself, you'll have to investigate as thoroughly as you can. Have a good look at that roof of his from above and if poss, have a good long look at what's happening when it's actually raining or shortly after it has stopped. It's chucking it down here now - any chance you could get out there with a torch and see if water is actually falling on that corner? Could it be a combination of the toilet overflow throwing out water occasionally and maybe a dodgy roof? How does that flat roof finish along the edge of his extension - guttering or just a ridge. You need to have a look up there. Pictures?

As for "I've said before, it does this when there has been no rain for DAYs, everywhere else is bone dry.". Well that wet staining area has obviously been there for a very long time - time enough for moss to grow along the wall. The point is that the brickwork is really soaked now and even with the source fixed, it could take weeks to actually dry up. So it could be the flat roof that's at fault.

Sorry I can't suggest anything else.

southcoastrgi

robgoingcrazy wrote: »

Also am just going to mention here that I asked the British Gas man whether the issue with the valve would have caused inhibitor to leak, and he said no.

:wall:

I assume these chaps know what they're talking about

:rotfl::rotfl:

robgoingcrazy

southcoastrgi wrote: »

:wall:

:rotfl::rotfl:

Perhaps rather than ROFLing you could offer some advice or help?

I am worried enough here without being laughed at, maybe I should ask for help elsewhere.

Also, I don't really like to broadcast this on a forum, but I have been dealing with moderate depression for the last couple of months, which makes a problem like this seem like a mountain to climb or fighting my way through treacle at times, at the moment it seems never ending, I just can't seem to find an answer about this water, if I can't trust anyone who comes to look at it, I think I am going to be struggling as although I appreciate the advice on here, I don't think it will be anyone here who ultimately comes and fixes the problem. If I assume everyone who looks at it doesn't know what they are talking about, it's not going to help my state of mind!

JohnB47

Ultimately you will have to trust someone to come and look at the problem and decide what to do.

But I really do think you can do yourself a favour by simply taking some time to go and stand for a while and see if you can spot any water actually falling on that corner. If it was me, I'd be out there in the rain, with a brolly up and a torch if need be, just taking a good long while to observe.

Also, that flat roof - been up to look at it from above?

OK, if you don't see anything untoward, at least you know that much. If you're not sure, take more pictures (of the flat roof, particularly at that corner) and let the experts (not me) have a look.

It's a pain I know but why not just have a look? Also, what about that echoing dripping noise you said you heard - is it gone now?

southcoastrgi

I already have in post #27 & as I have been self employed in the plumbing & heating industry for the last 31 yrs I think I prob know what I am talking about

robgoingcrazy

southcoastrgi wrote: »

I already have in post #27 & as I have been self employed in the plumbing & heating industry for the last 31 yrs I think I prob know what I am talking about

Ok so I shall get British Gas out and when the bloke comes tell them some bloke on a forum says they are wrong/clueless and they should do what he says?