Owning your own home

On Saturday, I dried it completely with a towel. Then put the lagging over it. I didn't tape the lagging in place, so the seam is split. Last night it was wet to the touch again.

I think it's a leak.

update: I just called Lewisham. As this is a communal pipe, they have to fix it. GET IN.

If it's a mains water pipe (which I suspect it is) then typically they cool (sometimes a lot) as water runs through them.

This means that you have an object that is much cooler than everything else in the room, and water will condense on it.

If the pipe was leaking it would be at a joint, and (not always, but usually) this is easy to see - especially with mains pressure, as it'll jet out quite excitedly.

But who knows. Be interesting to see what the council say about it.

Yeah, I get the cooling. It's the bulge in the ceiling by the pipe that's leading me to think it's a leak rather than condensate.

No, Damo. There is an object that is cooler than everything else. This will lead to condensation. Aren't you a scientist?

/waiting for call from IFA to be told "Fuck off."

Wait. There's cooling?

i get this problem on one of my lounge walls. not helped by the fact that they are painted black. apparently.

i don't even science.

I'm fighting our condensation problem by turning the heating on so high that steam rises from the external walls.

As a foreigner, I'd just like to say: London's housing stock is a bit hilarious. It's like a collection of man-made caves. Very very expensive caves.

mrs hell and i are fond of having a mongolian hotpot (#notaeuph) in the lounge for the evenings repast - after about 10 minutes it looks like the walls are bleeding.

Open the windows?

Our condensation problem is because we have to keep the bedroom windows closed at night (because of the trains) and the bedroom door closed (because of the cats).

I like the sound of Mongolian hotpot though. Both the #notaeuph and the #isaeuph versions.

Open the windows?

That risks someone escaping.

and let poor people's germs in? are you quite mad!?

some of those people, hork, RENT!

Haven't lived in a London flat without condensation issues for a decade.

I can imagine Neil waiting to discuss his condensation solutions.

Get a dehumidifier

Our neighbours came down again tonight. In the chat we had, they told us this had happened before with the previous owners. I've also found some more water in an adjoining cupboard. This is fun.

A GARAGE.....?!?!?

Such stuff as dreams are made of.
I dream of a garage, a garden and my own front door.

We expect to see progress detailed on the man cave thread.

mrs hell phoned a local estate agent to get a valuation on the flat - "£120 pounds plz"

er... fuck off, lol!

^ PM Jeez? He may do mates rates.

I'll come and look round for £20, give you a price that factors in the risk from condensation?

i miss jeez.

If you say his name three times he will come.

Yes but will he return to here?

^^ cheap date.

A GARAGE.....?!?!?

I suffer from garage envy, utility room envy and outbuilding envy. (A friend who moved to the sticks has the holy trinity.)

Other than those I dream of my own front door, direct access to a garden and a study.

I used to have a study but I was forced to give it up as my daughter selfishly requires a bedroom. #youthoftoday