My neighbours upstairs had a problem with their washing machine - loud noise when in use. Whilst waiting for 3 weeks for the engineer to call the machine flooded and brought down the ceiling to my flat. They say it wasn't their fault and it was not a problem to continue using the machine.
What would cause a big flood like that? My plumbers said that it must have been leaking for some time and continuing to use it just made it worse. What do you think?

Martin m, October 2008

Get your insurance company on the case - if no insurance then your lawyer. Take photographs of damage. Get damage repaired. Seek compensation. Tell neighbour what you intend to do.

Water coming into your place from upstairs is the responsibility of the people upstairs - do not get concerned by their continuing to use machine - it's just incidental - the key thing is that it was their water - negligence, stupidity, deliberate or plain unhappy accident makes no difference. You have been damaged by their water - end of story (as they say).

Peccavi, October 2008