New buildings can have unforeseen issues.
Question: We live on the second floor of a new two-storey condominium building. When it is windy, which is a lot out in the country, we get a gurgling sound in our kitchen sink. Yesterday was windy all day and it sounded like we had a garburator on all day. It is quite loud and irritating. Is it the air exhaust pipe from the sink? Is there anything that can be done, so I can ask the management to fix it?
Thanks,
— Lisa Merkeley
Answer: New homes and buildings often have unforeseen issues, which need to be resolved after possession. Contacting the builder, who will likely call the plumber who installed the drain system, the designer of the building, or an engineer, should help you resolve this issue. In a condominium (condo), it may be a little more complicated, as you may have to make the request through the condo association board to have it properly addressed.
Too often, homeowners of brand new buildings are under the misconception that everything will be complete and work perfectly upon possession. Unfortunately, this the exception rather than the rule. There may be several items, particularly on the exterior of the building, which are not complete, even after many of the occupants have moved in. This may be even more so with a multiple-family dwelling, as some units may be ready for occupancy long before other parts of the structure are finished. If the complete condo complex is finished, then making a formal request may be required to look into fixing your noise issue.
Condominiums are unique residential properties in that they have multiple owners. These owners may have almost total autonomy and ownership of their own unit within the building but share other areas and responsibilities. The "common elements" of the entire complex are jointly shared, and so are the costs associated with repairs and upkeep. For that reason, condos require an elected or appointed board of directors, who make decisions on behalf of all the owners. These decisions range from deciding upon the amount each owner pays for common element fees, and other associated costs, for maintenance and repairs. They also make the decisions on when things are repaired and allot the funds to pay for the work. For that reason, you may have to seek out a member of the board to make a formal request for inspection and remediation of your noisy sink issue.
Since the building is almost brand new, the builder should still be available to address some of these items, potentially under some type of warranty, if needed. The difficulty will be in convincing both the board members and the builder’s representative of the degree of the problem. On a calm day, which may be the situation when someone comes into your suite to check out the noisy sink, there may be little to hear. I suggest taking an audio and/or video recording of the noise at its worst, perhaps with a cellphone, to back up your claim. The recording could be used to help explain the situation to both groups and show how annoying and loud the sounds can be.
You are probably correct that the source of the noise is connected with the top of the plumbing vent stack above the roof. Beyond that, an experienced plumber, and possibly a mechanical engineer, will need to be called in to find the true cause of the noise and propose a solution. Since you describe the noise as gurgling, that makes the situation somewhat more urgent. Gurgling sink drains are often an indication of the water being siphoned out of the trap below the sink, which can allow noxious sewer gas to enter the living space. If that is the situation, a quick fix is in order to prevent health concerns to you and your family.
Gurgling traps are often attributed to improper venting of the drains, as is often the case in simple single-family dwellings. Multiple unit buildings, like yours, may have more complex drainage and venting systems, which can be affected by other issues. Negative or positive air pressures within different parts of the building may also cause air to draw in or out of various components. An imbalance in pressure could certainly cause air to be sucked down the vent, which could cause the gurgling noise. This may be solely caused by strong winds, but may also have one or more interior causes. Mechanical systems, like a furnace or HRV, may also contribute to pressure issues, so it may require other specialists to investigate the situation.
Finding a solution to your noisy sink drain should be possible but may be a little more complicated than in a new single-family home. Because of the nature of condominiums, and the complex nature of the overall building, more than one individual will probably be required to address the issue. Approaching the condo president or a member of the board should be the first step, who should contact the builder, or the appropriate professional, to assess the cause and propose a solution to your issue.
Ari Marantz is the owner of Trained Eye Home Inspection Ltd. and the past president of the Canadian Association of Home & Property Inspectors — Manitoba (cahpi.mb.ca). Questions can be emailed to the address below. Ari can be reached at 204-291-5358 or check out his website at trainedeye.ca.
trainedeye@iname.com
