ᐅ Rust-colored, algae-contaminated water is draining from the terrace pillar.

Hello everyone,

We live on the ground floor of a multi-family building and have a terrace. Above the terrace are the balconies of the residents living above us, all connected by columns and the exterior wall. Since we moved in (in 2018, but the previous tenants probably already had this problem), one of the columns has been leaking greenish, rust-colored water; it drips out or flows slightly when it rains, see pictures.

Has anyone experienced something similar and can tell me how serious this might be? I’m not an expert, but I think the steel inside the masonry or the pillar is rusting, and at some point, this could compromise the structural integrity of the entire construction.

What are your thoughts, and which type of professional (structural engineer, building surveyor, mason) would be best to inspect this issue?

Thanks in advance for your help

Andreas0001

This is definitely common property and should be reported to the property management.

Also, please check the drainage systems on the balconies.

Thank you, tomtom,

yes, I reported it a long time ago, but unfortunately nothing has happened so far...

Andreas0001 schrieb:

What is your opinion on this, and which professional (structural engineer, building surveyor, mason) should I consult to examine the problem?

From the pictures, I can’t even clearly distinguish what is concrete and what is steel, where connections might intentionally not be flush or right-angled, and so on—let alone what is solid and what is hollow. Having knowledge of the construction is crucial for any diagnosis. Without plans, deviations from the intended design cannot be determined.

Andreas0001 schrieb:

Yes, I reported this a long time ago, but nothing has happened…

What could realistically be done? A lawyer would evaluate which rent reduction threat is reasonable, demand corrective measures, and set deadlines. If you just say, “Hey, there’s some green dripping,” without requesting anything specific, nothing will happen except it being “read, laughed at, and filed away.” If you’re unlucky, the property management might get nervous, close off all balconies, and tell all neighbors to report complaints to you. So maybe it’s better to just occasionally wipe up a little patch of moss-green puddle (?)

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
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I fully agree with the opinion of @tomtom79. And I find it unfortunate that the property management has not taken care of this so far. Of course, everything is taking longer at the moment and they have a lot on their plate, but there are limits to everything. Like @11ant, I would consult a lawyer.

The concrete posts, or the way they are joined, strongly remind me of our former RH, where the balconies were also assembled using concrete balustrades and posts. We were never able to fully fix this: water always seeped in from above somewhere, and yes, it eventually became quite unsightly and mossy.
If the management does nothing: We have always cleaned mechanically, followed by algae removers and similar treatments, after sealing the top. However, over time, the entire material suffers.