Leakge Through My Kitchen Slab

There can be two ways.

1 legal battle.

2 Use some anthropology, Gandhian theories.

Cause and Effect

Looks like the person who is affected would have to work on this and that is you. So send a Plumber to identify the source of the leak and costing. Hope it is not the toilet bowl on the upper level.

Guru knows that this is a common problem in some part of the world where backyard people do professional work.

Hope this does not turn out to be a legal battle. In some part of the world this can take years to get first hearing.

All the best.

Instead Of using discriminatory terms "some part of world " I would say they are in all part of world, They normally don't have the enough time to see the real problem and answer, rather they just would like to argue like a intolerant man. Normally they come in the form of guest with masked face because they are confident enough that their acts will make them ashame.

good luck,

You sir, have clearly not been to SA. We are the "some part of the world" and falling faster than a speeding bullet. That is why there are 1st world countries and the "rest". When things don't go according to plan it is always racist or discriminating. Words that are used in our daily vocabulary. It actually means, we don't care, we are not to blame and there is nothing you can do about it.

" Looks like the person who is affected would have to work on this and that is you. "

WHAT??

Can you shut off his water?

well best is to do negative waterproofing i.e applying on the back side ,it would prevent water from entering your area ,it could be crystalline water proofing or any other

There are lots of brands available in crystalline waterproofing

Easy, get a quote from a pro. Give it to him and tell him if it not fixed within 14 days, you will get the pro out to fix it and bill the account to him. Also tell him if you have to get somebody out to fix it, you will hold him liable for your damages as well.

You could always notify your water department of water wastage happening.

Be creative, there are lots of ways.

One would be to shake him around a bit.

You may try informing the local authority who gives permission to construct buildings, in writing, and asking them to take action against the person, as the building is also getting affected to leakage / seepage. This will work only if your local authority is non-corrupt, strict and efficient.

Can you get a sheet of Damp Proof Course Membrane in the gap. Of course you'd still need to arrange for the "run off" to go somewhere not inconvenient.

If you gave us more info as to exactly where you are in the world, you might get better help.

Have to hit the landlord where it hurts, refuse to pay your rent if it isn't fixed (I imagine you have a rent payment in about a week). Alternately, have it fixed and write him a rent check for the difference. If you are in the US, you should have a signed lease contract that specifies actions you can take in the event of poor management such as this. You should legally be able to break your lease and demand your security deposit back for an infraction of this nature.

I would start by calling your local Health Department and/or Building Inspector. Call often! Let it be known that you will go to your local print news and TV nmedia outlets if no prompt action is taken.

1. Buy a can of diesel fuel.

2. Buy a box of matches.

3. Place them in your kitchen in the middle of the leak.

4. Invite the apartment over and allow him to see the problem and your proposed fix with the repair parts in place. You don't have to say anything, just make sure he sees them.

5. He will fix the problem for you expeditiously.

I understand the situation. Some landlords are like this. In some parts of the world this is a general kind of rule though such elements are there everywhere in varying numbers. The percentages of such (or their kind of people) make the diffrence between good socities and bad socities.The direction of migration or immigration is a good indication in this regard. Immigration in a sense is people speaking (actual experice is the best guru) not the so called experts.

If you want to fix your plumbing problem by yourself you can try using epoxy putty (there are many types, choose the right one) when there is no water dripping (preferably late night). It comes in two parts, mix'em together and just seal the broken areas. Just buy good quality stuff. But access to the area...I can't advice.

"The owner is not cooperating... and is stubborn" <-- I assume this is the room owner, not the building owner.

you have a relationship problem, not a technical one. the most likely result of your "working from outside" will be an ad hoc solution, and it won't be aesthetic or longlasting. because you've raised the matter already with the folks upstairs, and they don't care, they may not like your solution and remove it altogether, putting you back to square 1 with a sore neighbor.

so first, collect the water in buckets or pails just so it doesn't ruin your kitchen while you go through the steps below. or, you can construct a temporary catch that will take the leaking water directly to your drain.

1. check your lease contract if it contains any clause that will remedy your situation. if there is, bring it up to the building owner. problem is solved. if none, proceed to step 2.

2. see the building owner and raise the matter with him (pretend you didn't know what you already know in step 1). he just might be in a good mood, and fix it for you. if he pushes back the problem to you, let him understand that if you leave, the work and cost of repairing the leak will still fall with him, as no new tenant will move in a room with a leak. perhaps he will reconsider. if he is as adamant at your upstairs neighbor, go to step 3. take important note that at this step, the manner of your approach must be gentle, and as one asking, not one demanding. resist the temptation to express anger. this is your make-or-break step. if you cannot convince the owner to side with you, your cause is lost. it is not good to have an "enemy". having 2 (your neighbor and the owner) is too much.

3. try to patch things up with the neighbor and ask them gently if you can come in and fix the leak yourself. if they agree, bring in a plumber and fix the leak. you've just solved the problem, and lost an enemy. this'll cost you, but what is money between friends? else, go to step 4.

4. remove your temporary solution and leave the place. it is simply unhealthy to stay.

When you say owner is not cooperating, do you mean the person living in the apartment above you or the actually property owner? There's not much you can do about the renter not being nice. But the actual property owner is obligated to provide you a safe living environment. First try to deal with the apartment complex manager & owners. If they don't want to cooperate then contact the local city health dept. or whatever agency in the area that controls safety issues on commercial complexes. The actual manager/owners have the right & obligation to enter the apartment above you to fix the problem.

also thought about involving the local health officials, but decided against it, as the entry of a 3rd party into this conflict, IMO, ill aggravate the neighborly rift, and also put the building owner in a bad light with the local government officers.

the soft approach, I guess is best, to attain a win-win situation.