23 Apr 2008 7:29 PM:
I am in Phase 1 Block A 2nd floor middle apt overlooking pool. I have always had a slight smell in my shower room although I've never noticed it in the bathroom. I was out there few weeks ago and got to know someone from Manchester who is on Phase 2. They had a mysterious leak in their bathroom. Each morning they woke up there would be a small puddle of water by the toilet. Having no faith in the on site builders they paid for a builder to come out and inspect it. Having lifted out the toilet he discovered that the toilet had been installed without a rubber seal costing about 1 euro! These seals apparently prevent the aforementioned odours. Needless to say they had the problem rectified and it's been fine since. Another problem I'm going to have to fork out money for.
With regard to Nigel's comment regarding "drainage issues" I have witnessed two horrific incidents. One couple from Ireland in Phase 2 came over couple months ago to find that their double bedroom ceiling had fallen in due to water leaking from pipes from the apt above them. If that wasn't bad enough Luigi told them that they would have to claim on their insurance to repair it!! Needless to say the owner told him in no uncertain terms that the developer was responsible as it had occured because of absymal plumbing work. Fortunately their apt wasn't furnished. If it had been the furniture would have been ruined. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the damage. The ceilings are packed with horse hair which is a Spanish practice apparently.
When I was last there a couple weeks ago another owner's bathroom ceiling collapsed. The owner, Maureen, lives there permanently on Phase 2. A long term rent moved into the apt above her 3 months ago. She always said that whenever the guy took a shower she always found it strange how clearly she could hear the water and would go into her bathroom to check her ceiling was ok. It was until 3 weeks ago! Obviously his shower waste pipe was leaking but it took 3 months for it to manifest itself. Fortunately the collapse was directly over the bath which kept other damage to her apt to a minimum. When she went up to see him he wasn't pleased being asked if he could stop using his shower! This guy is fed up at Manilva Beach and is looking to rent elsewhere saying there is a big problem with damp in his apt. Forgive me if I smile at this point when I tell you that his landlord is an employee of the agent we bought from. Schadnfreude indeed!!!!!
I have 2 major concerns. The first being that I will have no idea if the plumbing in my ceiling is ok until someone moves in above me and starts using water. Above me is an unoccupied and I think, an unfurnished, penthouse. If there is a problem I won't know until it's too late i.e. literally when the damage has been done. I also have no idea if my using water is causing damage to the unoccupied apt below me!
My second concern is that the guy mentioned above was asked if he could use the shower room rather than the shower above the bath until Maureen's ceiling could be repaired. My air con unit, like everyone else who has air con fitted, is in the ceiling of the shower room. I can only hope and pray that the plumbing work above it has been installed correctly. However judging by the horrendous bodged jobs I've experieced from my own apt and witnessed those of others in their apts it will be a real worry.
When I completed in September 2006 initially my worry, whenever I returned to Manilva, was being broken into during my absence. My main worry now is water damage!!! I already have paint flaking off both my bedroom ceilings due to damp, rain coming thru, but I'd rather have that than have the ceiling collapse!! I have no idea who these guys were who "built" Manilva Beach but personally I wouldn't trust them with Lego bricks!!!!!! I'm out again this Saturday with fingers crossed when I open the door.
This message was last edited by steven morren on 4/23/2008.
Community thread:
Car share from Manilva to La Line/Gibraltar
--------------------------------------