Hi, I need some advice on approaching a problem with our block of flats.
We have a shared internal space for storing bins, and the plaster ceiling is collapsing due to moisture damage. The space is 17 years old and the ceiling was pristine until three years ago when moisture started collecting on the resistant plasterboard ceiling in the winter months. There is a maisonette that has a boiler flume right next to the door to the shared space and the current owner/occupant moved in three years ago when the moisture problem first arose. The maisonette is kept very warm 24/7 compared to previous occupiers who had a more conservative approach to heating a property, to say the least.
Since the moisture became evident; we have three years' worth of photos showing moisture/water collecting around the vicinity of the boiler flume and collecting in a large quantity of droplets on the adjacent bin store's ceiling.
We need to replace the ceiling, but we also need to remedy the source of the moisture. The maisonette owner has been outrightly aggressive about minor issues with our management and will not entertain fitting a boiler flume. How do we get a flume fitted? How would we determine if the flume is the source of moisture and pass on the repair costs to our aggressive friend? We need some kind of expert but I'm at a loss... plumber? Insurance adjuster?! The area outside by the door is a wind trap so moisture from boiler would constantly be pressured towards the doorway.
With regards to sorting out the ceiling, would any coatings be recommended or types of board?
Thanks for any advice!
Attached pics (sorry for poor quality: outside picture shows a flume/below gutter line on the left and the entrance/white door to the bin store on bottom right):
We have a shared internal space for storing bins, and the plaster ceiling is collapsing due to moisture damage. The space is 17 years old and the ceiling was pristine until three years ago when moisture started collecting on the resistant plasterboard ceiling in the winter months. There is a maisonette that has a boiler flume right next to the door to the shared space and the current owner/occupant moved in three years ago when the moisture problem first arose. The maisonette is kept very warm 24/7 compared to previous occupiers who had a more conservative approach to heating a property, to say the least.
Since the moisture became evident; we have three years' worth of photos showing moisture/water collecting around the vicinity of the boiler flume and collecting in a large quantity of droplets on the adjacent bin store's ceiling.
We need to replace the ceiling, but we also need to remedy the source of the moisture. The maisonette owner has been outrightly aggressive about minor issues with our management and will not entertain fitting a boiler flume. How do we get a flume fitted? How would we determine if the flume is the source of moisture and pass on the repair costs to our aggressive friend? We need some kind of expert but I'm at a loss... plumber? Insurance adjuster?! The area outside by the door is a wind trap so moisture from boiler would constantly be pressured towards the doorway.
With regards to sorting out the ceiling, would any coatings be recommended or types of board?
Thanks for any advice!
Attached pics (sorry for poor quality: outside picture shows a flume/below gutter line on the left and the entrance/white door to the bin store on bottom right):
