I own a unit in Chiang Mai which has been unoccupied for the the past 10 years. Recently management informed me that the ceiling of a bathroom unit below had been damaged due to a cracked drain pipe underneath my unit which services my apartment only. I was told that if I used their contracted plumber, the repair would cost 5,000 plus another 2,000 to replace and repaint the ceiling of the unit below (parts and labour).

 

I noticed that my own unit also has stains in the ceiling in the same place, and management conceded that the problem has affected many units. My own unit has the master turned off and I checked thoroughly for any running water or leaks. Everything is bone dry. Management explained that what was happening was that water from the main vertical downpipe (common property that services all units) was 'back-splashing' into the horizontal pipe that services my unit and then out the crack. So that's apparently how water can be leaking from an unoccupied unit with the mains off. 

 

Questions:

 

1.  If water can 'back-splash' from a main downpipe, isn't this a flaw in the plumbing design? I concede that if my unit was occupied then water would likely be coming from my unit also. So it seems to me that the cost here should be shared between me and common property.

 

2.  I don't see myself as responsible for the repairing the ceiling below. I was told that the unit below had been occupied for many years so the problem should have been reported at the first signs with a little paint (after the leak had been repaired of course) but the owner waited until much of the ceiling was stained and warped. Perhaps the price of a can of a paint as a goodwill gesture?

 

3. Is it reasonable to ask for some kind of guarantee that the repairs needed for the pipes above my unit will be covered before agreeing to pay for any repairs?

 

4. Does the 5,000 for the pipe repair seem reasonable?

 

Am I wrong or being unreasonable? informed feedback appreciated.

For me, £160 GBP (I'm British) to put right an issue in a condo which I'd neglected for 10 years would be a small price to pay.  Not worth getting into a debate about, although number 3 is probably a good move and actually insisting on it being done at the same time.

On 6/23/2025 at 1:24 PM, csaba81 said:

I own a unit in Chiang Mai which has been unoccupied for the the past 10 years. Recently management informed me that the ceiling of a bathroom unit below had been damaged due to a cracked drain pipe underneath my unit which services my apartment only. I was told that if I used their contracted plumber, the repair would cost 5,000 plus another 2,000 to replace and repaint the ceiling of the unit below (parts and labour).

 

I noticed that my own unit also has stains in the ceiling in the same place, and management conceded that the problem has affected many units. My own unit has the master turned off and I checked thoroughly for any running water or leaks. Everything is bone dry. Management explained that what was happening was that water from the main vertical downpipe (common property that services all units) was 'back-splashing' into the horizontal pipe that services my unit and then out the crack. So that's apparently how water can be leaking from an unoccupied unit with the mains off. 

 

Questions:

 

1.  If water can 'back-splash' from a main downpipe, isn't this a flaw in the plumbing design? I concede that if my unit was occupied then water would likely be coming from my unit also. So it seems to me that the cost here should be shared between me and common property.

 

2.  I don't see myself as responsible for the repairing the ceiling below. I was told that the unit below had been occupied for many years so the problem should have been reported at the first signs with a little paint (after the leak had been repaired of course) but the owner waited until much of the ceiling was stained and warped. Perhaps the price of a can of a paint as a goodwill gesture?

 

3. Is it reasonable to ask for some kind of guarantee that the repairs needed for the pipes above my unit will be covered before agreeing to pay for any repairs?

 

4. Does the 5,000 for the pipe repair seem reasonable?

 

Am I wrong or being unreasonable? informed feedback appreciated.

Pay it and move on

Whilst agreeing with both @treetops and @Beerzy65, it seems that this type of water problem should be covered by the Condo’s building insurance, for which I assume you pay your share.  

Unless the design issue with the main pipe is fixed, expect the problem to show up again in the future. 

This is a condo issue. 

I would push back and say that even though there is a crack in your pipe it was not caused by your negligence.  The negligence of the building to maintain the vertical pipe to reasonable standards caused the water to ingress to another water pipe and therefore any compensation or repairs should be from the Associations account.

 

If they push back offer to pay 2000 and settle in middle if necessary.

 

I have Condo Insurance for 2637 a year.  Think that is cheap for the coverage amounts.