Dealing with a leak from the flat above
Clear access arrangements can be as important as the detection method when a leak affects more than one home.
Record and report
Photograph the affected area safely and tell the relevant occupant, landlord or building manager. Record when the symptoms appeared and what appears to trigger them. Deal with immediate electrical or ceiling hazards through appropriate professional help.
Arrange joint access
The investigation may need to compare the affected room with fittings and pipe routes upstairs. Access to only one property can leave important questions unanswered, so confirm contacts and entry arrangements before booking.
Clarify authority for work
Agree who instructs the investigation, approves any access and receives the report. Responsibility for payment, insurance and building repairs should be discussed with the relevant parties rather than assumed from the stain location.
Keep the outcome understandable
A clear record of the observed source and completed work helps explain the result. Remaining dampness may still need drying and reinstatement after the plumbing cause is repaired.
Tell us what’s
happening at home.
A damp patch. A moving meter. A boiler that keeps losing pressure. You don’t need to know where the leak is to make an enquiry.
Talk about your leak