Korean Job Discussion Forums

neilsputnik · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Location: Seoul

Problem: One of my tap pipes underneath the bathroom sink has split, it now gushes water when the tap is turned on (the tap BELOW the sink and not the one that you actually turn on to release the water into the sink). It is unfeasible to leave the underneath tap on all day as too much water leaks out otherwise. It only moderately affects water pressure. However, it is a pain having to turn the tap on and off all the time.

Plan of action: I thought it quite reasonable that my Hagwon would foot the bill for the repair. I guess a maximum quote would be 50,000 including labor. It seems to be a standard pipe that needs replacing, nothing major at all. I don't have the tools to do this, and don't see myself buying them. They previously footed the bill for a repair -- a different pipe for the same sink.

Biggest problem: My Hagwon has refused to pay!

My contract states the following: The Institute is responsible for paying the rent and associated rental-costs for the apartment. The Instructor is responsible for paying his/her share of all utility bills, including electricity, water, gas, cable, internet and telephone. If the building charges a security or maintenance fee, this is also the Instructor�s responsibility, to a maximum of 40,000~50,000 (40~50 US dollars) won per month.

Also, I have no maintenance fee. I think, but am not totally sure, that they own the apartment.

My understanding is that all monthly bills are mine, and apartment repair costs are theirs. Am I off base here? Any previous experiences with successfully resolving a similar issue?

Thanks.

jrwhite82 · Joined: 22 May 2010

That is an associated rental cost if I've ever heard one. It should be the landlord/building owner who foots the bill for this.

Do not just let the apartment flood as a form of protest because that would clearly make you in the wrong.

Rothbard · Joined: 23 Aug 2010

Landlord.

jonpurdy · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Location: Ulsan

Definitely landlord.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

Is it a solid pipe? Or the bendable hose with metal fiber exterior?

If it's a solid pipe, then the school refusing to pay is not a major issue. Go to a hardware store. For about 5 bucks you can get some epoxy putty. It's a type of putty that solidifies into a rock hard substance. I don't know what it's called in Korea. In other countries I've seen the popular brand name Poxilina. It comes in a small box, and there will be two packages of what looks like plasticine. You take off a bit of each and mix them together thoroughly. (Sometimes it comes as a single piece of "plasticine" but when you cut off a piece you'll see that there is a second material inside the first.) When it looks like a single colored material you mold it around the pipe making sure to completely cover the crack/hole/whatever. Make sure that all surfaces are dry and clean before you apply it and that you put on at least 1cm of the material. You'll notice when it's starting to harden because it will start to warm up. If it's warming up, then you need to apply it soon. Leave it 10 minutes and it will be rock hard. One of it's major usages is for sealing broken pipes and for gluing stuff together. It's heavy duty.

Sometimes it comes in two tubes of a gelly-like substance. Again, you mix them thoroughly and apply the goo to your pipe. For examples Poxipol (same company that makes Poxilina).

If your only problem is the pipe, then just fix it with putty. If the pipe is rotting from the inside, it's not your responsibility. If the school asks, just say that a friend called a plumber for you and he came by and fixed it. They probably won't appreciate your ingenuity in fixing it yourself (especially if it's their apartment and they were hoping to get you to pay the upkeep on their property). But remember this incident for a later date when you have to complain about something, or when the school complains about you. "Hey. You remember that time that the pipe broke and I paid for the repair out of my own pocket?"

engrishprease · Joined: 22 Oct 2009

I agree with the other posters here. The responsibility should lie with the landlord and/or school.

Question, did you talk with the director, or one of the teachers? Best to talk with the director in-person, if you haven't already.

If your director (and landlord) has already said he/she won't pay for the repair, you're best option is to just fix it out of your own pocket. Ask yourself, "Is the cost of the repair worth getting on your director/school's bad side?"

The answer should be obvious. Of course, this is assuming the repair costs aren't astronomical. It shouldn't be.

DHC · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Unless the school owns the building it is not their responsibility. The owner of the building is legally responsible. Your school should assist you in getting the owner to repair the pipe.

lifeinkorea · Joined: 24 Jan 2009 Location: somewhere in China

In situations like this I don't mind footing the bill as long as it is under 100. It might be a good learning experience.

However, your school telling you to do this is not good for them. If you do something wrong, you are hired to teach not do home improvement, then the school is liable to the landlord for your screw up. Then, the school will have reason to take money out of your wages to compensate for this (not that they have the right to do this, but they will anyway).

Your best bet is to put pressure on them and tell them the dangers they face in making you solve the problem. Get some feedback on this from the landlord before you do anything.

In the lease, it might say the tenant is not allowed to make any modifications or alterations to the apartment without permission of the landlord. You don't want yourself or the school caught up in these types of legal issues, even if they are for the better.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

neilsputnik · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Location: Seoul

Troglodyte: It is a bendable hose with a fiber exterior. I actually hadn't considered doing a repair job. I am mostly hung up on the principle of it all. I suppose, when it comes down to it, I see my school balking at such a minor thing which wasn't even my fault as very infantile. If my inquiries go nowhere -- and it appears this is the case -- then I will investigate this hack repair job option.

I have only taken it up with my immediate boss. My director speaks no English and is hardly ever around, a real business man type. My next port of call is to get my Korean g.f. to write a polite letter in Korean explaining the situation and give it to my boss to give to the director. After that and if the hack repair job fails, I would imagine that I will have to suck it up and get on with it, whilst keeping this tidbit banked for another time if, and probably when something else like this happens.

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Landlord should cover that, but if he doesn't, go get some tools and fix it yourself and try to get the money back later. It's cheap and easy. Unless it's something major, no point in waiting days to get it fixed.

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

Ya, this is a bit of gray area, although I would assume the landlord should cover this one. It's tricky when the bills are small because it makes you seem "cheap". But still ... once you start paying for "things under 100,000 won" it can get a bit expensive because they can add up.

I had to replace my toilet seat because it was all cracked (it was like this when I arrived). Cost me 15,000. Should I have had to have paid that? I never asked my school.

But right now my place is REALLY old and in need of a face lift. Problem is: it's still liveable. Still, I'd like the cocking replaced in the bathroom. Am I to pay for that? Am I to do this myself? It's not a dire issue. It would just look nicer.

My wallpaper is probably 30 years old and showing it. The same with my floor. The glass covering my table is cracked and taped together. My sink tap has a tiny hole but I keep it covered up with tape. Mold set in in winter and I had to cut out feet of wallpaper. It doesn't look great, but it's all liveable.

At what point are we entitled to ask our school to drop a few million won to retrofit our apartments?

I don't know. Considering my school has suffered from the economic crash, I choose to keep my mouth shut.

But when my door lock jammed, they had it fixed and footed the bill.

kiwipenny · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Location: South Korea

From experience I know the landlord pays. If your school owns it they need to foot the bill. However, if they only lease it then they need to arrange for the owner to fix it. Happened to me several times. They are being twats.

Rothbard · Joined: 23 Aug 2010

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

As a former hardware store worker and handyman, this is an easy fix IF the valve is intact. I had the hose burst in my last apartment and the valve went with it. Had to get to the main shutoff outside of the apartment. Even then, it's not too hard to fix but it should be covered by the maintenance fee.

Troglodyte's method would work if it weren't the braided hose, but on that it'll crack pretty quick. You're looking at 10, maybe 20k won total (if it's a gold plated hose - they are really cheap) and a few minutes of your time.

Make sure that the valve is good. Sometimes, not often, but sometimes a valve and hose go together (one causes the other) and even if you can turn it off, it may still leak.