Locating leaks in a party wall

We have had an ongoing problem with bubbling and mildew spots on a party wall that is shared with my neighbor (this is in an attached rowhouse). The spot in question is on the first floor in a part of the wall that we suspect is behind the stack/main drain which serves my neighbors two bathrooms. We think this because the two houses are configured the same way and we have no plumbing on that side of our house.

My neighbor, who would rather not deal with this problem, says he has consulted a plumber and they see no leak. We have measured the moisture with a water meter and consulted plumbers who say that this is a problem that has to be addressed from my neighbor’s house.

Has anyone had a similar experience and can offer advice as to how to approach this problem. We’ve gotten to the point where we will hire a plumber to do a diagnostic examination – perhaps use a camera — to see if they can see a crack or place where such a leak might be. But if the leak is located what recourse to we have to have it fixed?

wtsue

in Plumbing 2 months ago

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Brownstone Home Inspection | 2 months ago

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if you wish to know where his waste lines run, go to the roof. look on his side of the wall where the leak is and if you see a cast iron pipe coming out the top, put your nose to it and take a whiff. that is the waste vent. if that is in proximity to where the leak is, that is a good starting point. but not always, it can be something else and water travels.

if you wish to rule the roof, and flashings, and parapet walls out, give me a call.

by using those moisture meters, you should be able to get right on top of this leak (i mean right to it) and open the wall a little and find it, even if it is on his side.

also, someone on here said they had a leak from the neighbor’s and they called the DOB and they stepped in. that could be worth a shot.

steve
brownstonehomeinpsection.com

chinatown_red | 2 months ago

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I went through this last Fall, over three floors. My neighbor let me into their bathrooms and all were bone dry. I went to the highest damp point in my house and knocked out some brick and found their 4″ line with a crack in it. My plumber and eventually theirs advised them it was their line and they needed to repair it, It still took a LOT of convincing but they eventually replaced that section on the 3rd floor. The leak continued lower down and I had to open more probes to find the crack because they weren’t going to do so. I eventually had their plumber replace a second 10′ section from my side just to get it done and because I had already ripped the wall apart. Not going to lie, the whole process was a nightmare – sealed all three areas off, dehumidifiers, demo, removal and repair – took about 8 weeks in total due to neighbor feet dragging. You should get your plumber to drop a camera and write a report, I considered this but cut to the chase and opened the walls instead.