Hi, the management agency for my apartment in Zurich was in touch to say that the apartment below recently had some yellow stains on their ceiling that look like water stains. They're coming today to check out if there's a problem.

My shower has been really slow to drain recently so a few days ago I unblocked the trap and pulled out a load of hair. I also sprayed the shower head directly down the drain to give it a rinse out, so I'm hoping that this didn't cause a problem. Some questions:

- If it was me that caused it am I responsible for repairing any damage?
- Should I tell them that I unblocked the drain?
- I have private insurance - would something like this be covered?

Many thanks.

Admit nothing. Ever.

Ha ha thanks, sage advice

I think you answered your own question there.

Just play ignorant but your insurance will cover it if it's your fault.

Unblocking a drain is what you're supposed to do - they can't complain about that, they could only complain if you didn't do it and it overflowed.


Similarly it should be able to handle having water sprayed down it, if not then it's faulty and their responsibility to maintain.


So from what you've said, it wasn't your fault. Maybe you uncovered a weakness, a bit of broken pipe just blocked with debris or calc.


Since that's the case, say nothing, let them investigate and find a nice clean but leaking drain and fix it at their cost. Your insurance should cover as a last resort.

Use something like this regularly
https://produits.migros.ch/detergent-pour-siphons
https://produkte.migros.ch/power-abflussreiniger

My thoughts exactly.