Odd things can happen after the tenant moves out!

Funny how some things aren't discovered until you move out. I got a call from a property manager last week about a wall that was "soft" and moist to the touch. It was right above the toilet, above the towel bar. The drywall was so soft that it easily push through. It looked like this when I got there.

I had a good idea what the problem was, I had see it many times before. This water damaged area in the bathroom was centered above the toilet. If someone were to hang a picture, or decoration this is where the nail or screw would go to hang the object. Too often the drain pipe from the bathroom above runs right down the center of that wall.

 

 

That's what happened in this case. Screws were used to hang something centered on the wall, the screw went through the drain line (there were actually 4 holes). While the screw is in the drain pipe, there is no leak. when the screw is removed when the tenant leaves the property, THAT'S when it does start to leak.

 

All that being said, it is a problem that can be solved. Not a major problem, just an odd one.