Concealed Pipes In Condo Common Area

Just to share what I found out yesterday.

My adjacent neighbour's (AN) concealed copper pipe at the lift lobby leaked again (4th time). My opposite neighbour (ON) was doing minor reno and decided she change her copper pipe there as well. So ON's main con got his subcon to cut the false ceiling starting from the PUB source, past the 3 lifts, up to their main doors.

First 2 pix not "rotated" when pasted here.

Ceiling near lifts:

Ceiling towards their main doors:

I was advised to change my copper pipe to stainless steel as well as condition did not look too good. Quote was $1500 (with false ceiling already cut open), same amount quoted to my AN. This amount is discounted, otherwise it would be $1800-2000.

So I called Nasir (plumber) to help give me a second opinion. He checked and told me my copper pipes were fine - no rust, no mould, joints were fine - no change needed. I insisted on a quote to cut the false ceiling, change to stainless steel pipe the entire length and make good the false ceiling. His quote was $1200. He also told me how to spot mould marks on the copper pipe.

Another neighbour's copper pipe - small green spots indicating mould build-up and eventually leakage:

Copper pipe joints are blackened due to welding. It's not rust: