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Water leakage case

Water Leakage Project at Yat Shing House, Mei Shing Court, Hong Kong

Silver Surveyors

7/21/20265 min read

Two Years of Ceiling Dripping – The Hidden Culprit Was a Pipe You Couldn't See

"My ceiling kept dripping. Every night I had to put a bucket under it to catch the water… What was I supposed to do?"

This was the heartfelt cry from the owner of Flat 7, 34/F, Yat Shing House, Mei Shing Court.

For two years, he watched helplessly as water slowly invaded his home – water stains appeared on the bathroom ceiling, paint peeled off in the living room ceiling, and the bedroom ceiling began to sound hollow. Then, in June 2026, things suddenly got worse. The living room ceiling started dripping continuously – 2 to 4 drops per minute. At night, the sound of water droplets hitting the plastic bucket became his nightly nightmare.

He tried complaining to the management office. He tried talking to the upstairs neighbour. But the problem never went away. Every day, he came home to see the water stain on the ceiling growing larger. He felt helpless and exhausted.

"This has been my home for so many years. Do I have to live with this leak forever?"

That feeling of watching your home being destroyed by water, drop by drop, with no way to stop it – we understand it completely.

One Clue, Hidden in the Moment the Water Valve Was Turned Off！

On 22 June 2026, the expert team from Silver Surveyors arrived at the subject flat to conduct a comprehensive technical investigation. We deployed multiple professional testing methods, cross-validating every finding and leaving no detail unchecked.

What did we do?

1. Infrared Thermography

Detected minor moisture retention in the bathroom ceiling (Affected Area 1), extensive moisture retention in the living room ceiling (Affected Area 2), and minor moisture retention in Bedroom 1 ceiling (Affected Area 3). These cool-temperature zones, shown in blue on the thermal images, were clear evidence of water accumulation.

2. Conductive Moisture Meter Testing

Multiple measurement points were set up across the three affected areas. Readings were generally elevated. Notably, detection point B6 on the living room ceiling recorded a moisture level of 99.6% (near saturation), while the reference area measured only <7.8% – a stark contrast.

3. Critical Test – Turning the Fresh Water Supply Valve On and Off

We performed a crucial test – first shutting off the main fresh water supply valve to the subject flat, then reopening it. The result was telling: when the valve was closed, the dripping rate slowed significantly (0–1 drop per minute); when reopened, the dripping rate returned to 2–4 drops per minute. This change became the key to unlocking the mystery.

4. Water Sample Analysis

Samples collected from all three affected areas showed a salinity of 0.00 p.p.t and tested negative for ammonia, indicating fresh water. All three samples were consistent in nature, pointing to a single source of leakage.

5. Fluorescent Dye Tests

Six dye tests were conducted in the upper-floor flat (Flat 7, 35/F) covering the shower cubicle, floor drain, washbasin drain, toilet drain, etc. None of the dyes appeared at the affected areas in the subject flat – ruling out the possibility of leakage from the upper unit's drainage system.

Comprehensive Conclusion: Source Traced to the Upper Unit's Fresh Water Supply Pipe

By synthesising all test results – particularly the clear change in dripping rate when the water valve was turned on and off – we reached the following conclusion:

There is evidence and indication that the fresh water supply pipe in the upper-floor flat (Flat 7, 35/F) is leaking, with water migrating into the bathroom ceiling, living room ceiling, and bedroom ceiling of the subject flat.

The site inspection revealed widespread water damage and continuous dripping – classic signs of a pressurised pipe leak.

"So it was the fresh water pipe all along… Not the upstairs bathroom, not the external wall."

When we presented our findings to the client, the mystery that had troubled him for two years finally made sense. The dripping sound that had robbed him of sleep now had a clear explanation.

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How Much Damage Was Done? A Clear Assessment

Based on our detailed calculations, the total loss and estimated repair cost for the subject flat amounted to:

HKD $52,045.74

This covered:

Cutting out and removing loose concrete in the affected areas, followed by anti-rust treatment for exposed steel reinforcement

Reinstatement of plastering and emulsion paint finish

Demolition and disposal of debris

Insurance and protective works

In addition, we recommended that the upper-floor unit replace the entire fresh water supply pipe system throughout the flat to permanently resolve the leakage issue.

What This Case Teaches Us

Leakage problems are not always easy to trace. The source may be a water supply pipe hidden inside a wall or floor slab – completely invisible to the naked eye. But sometimes, a seemingly small detail – like the change in dripping speed when a water valve is turned – is the very clue that solves the puzzle.

At Silver Surveyors, we let science speak and integrity guide us. We take no sides and hold no preconceptions. Through meticulous site inspections, cross-validated testing methodologies, and careful analysis of every data point, we uncover the truth.

If you are facing a similar ordeal – a dripping ceiling, unexplained dampness, a leak that defies diagnosis – please reach out to us. Let our expertise and science identify the root cause and protect your home.

Expert Qualifications Endorsement

This report was signed and confirmed by Mr. Leung Ka Chun, Managing Director of Yin Jin Consultants & Gongzheng Limited. As a Chartered Institutional Surveyor (MRICS), Chartered Builder (MCIOB), and Chartered Building Engineer (MCABE), Mr. Leung possesses extensive experience in building diagnostics and surveying, ensuring the professional authority of the investigation.

Silver Surveyors | Precision in Investigation, Integrity in Service

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