I live in a 40 years old apartment. The leaking stains I can see in the building ceiling everywhere.

One day my friend came over to fix my washing machine, we flipped over the machine, and one gallon amount water came out. 5 minutes later, manager knocked the door said downstairs had a huge leaking problem, and ceiling was damaged.

I was wondering is that I caused that problem

It sounds like you could be the source of the problem. It can take several minutes or just a second for water to reach the next floor. If this is the case you are responsible for the repair costs. This was an accident on your part not a plumbing leak.

The neighbor has the same problem.

Her ceiling damaged by water leaking from upstairs, but upstairs people didn't do anything. Under these circumstances, do I still take full responsible for the water leaking?

The neighbor has the same problem.

Her ceiling damaged by water leaking from upstairs, but upstairs people didn't do anything. Under these circumstances, do I still take full responsible for the water leaking?

Did all this happen at the same time? Does the neighbor live under you? You have to realize that water will seek the path of least resistance. You could have a spill in one place and the ceiling shows moisture some distance away.
Can you give us more details? Regards, Tom

Tom makes a very good point. Water can travel quite some distance after it gets through the floor. It can run along rafters and on the top surface of ceiling material. If both leaks took place the same day I'd hazard to guess it was all you washer water. Your management people may chose to file an insurance claim since it would be almost impossible to PROVE you did the damage.

Did all this happen at the same time? Does the neighbor live under you? You have to realize that water will seek the path of least resistance. You could have a spill in one place and the ceiling shows moisture some distance away.
Can you give us more details? Regards, Tom


No. it didn't happen the same day. I live in the second floor, and the neighbor has leaking problem is 2nd floor too. My point is the building has pluming leaking problem. Is that right? Thanks.

Sounds like there may be several issues with this building plumbing. What is management planning to do, are they trying to bill you?

Sounds like there may be several issues with this building plumbing. What is management planning to do, are they trying to bill you?


Yes. They are billing me to fix all the damage. Do I have to pay full amount? Thanks.

They are billing me to fix all the damage. Do I have to pay full amount?
Rule of thumb sez, if the spill is your fault then you pay for the repair. If the water damage's caused by faulty plumbing then it's the landlords responsibility.
Good luck, Tom

You may not be in a strong position to argue but I would. I'd point out the other damage that happened and how that could not be your responsiblility. Maybe both iissues were faulty plumbing but lealing pipes tend to keep leaking, not a one time leak.

You may not be in a strong position to argue but I would. I'd point out the other damage that happened and how that could not be your responsiblility. Maybe both iissues were faulty plumbing but lealing pipes tend to keep leaking, not a one time leak.


Thank you very much. I will try.