I was successful with using a product like Clean Shower. Use it after each shower for a few weeks. You need to be patient, but eventually it will soften that crud so that you can scrub it off more easily. Also, if you can find it, there is a product called Edfred Shower Stall and Tile Cleaner. It contains phosphoric acid, and works wonders on hard water deposits. -Babka

States Ban Phosphate-Laden Dishwasher Soap July 2011 started a ban in sixteen states of the sale of dishwasher detergents that contain high levels of phosphates, a source of pollution in lakes and streams. Stores will not be allowed to sell detergent with more than 0.5 percent phosphorous. The bans do not apply to commercial dishwashing products, and detergents for hand-washing dishes generally contain no phosphorus. States instituting the rule include Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. One major cause of problems in dishwashers and cloths washers is most people use way too much detergent, more is NOT better. In a dishwasher fill the cup half way and use Cascade Complete liquid. Powder does not dissolve as well and be sure your rinse agent (JetDry) is full. If you are using a HE cloths washer use 2 tablespoons of 2X HE detergent. If you have a mildew smell in your front load washer then that is soap buildup, use a cup of white vinegar on its hottest or "tub clean" cycle to clean it. DO NOT mix bleach in your dishwasher! A posted comment:"my black dishes are white and my glass dishes are dirty looking " Try soaking them in CLR, if that does not work then they are permanently etched and there is nothing you can do. A posted comment:"I occasionally use Brillo to clean my white dishes" Noooooooo no no, you are scratching your dishes making them worse. Never use Brillo pads or Comet type cleaners on anything except stainless steel and that is not even necessary. If you do use one of these products on stainless than only rub with the grain, if you rub cross grain than you will permanently scratch the surface giving it an old warn out look. Here is a link that might be useful: NPR, Dishes Still Dirty? Blame Phosphate-Free Detergent

More pictures including the 'slanted garage', the suspect drain grid that isn't big enough, how water drains away from the foundation, etc. Very hard to advise you about all that based on only pictures of the basement. What black plastic material is on some of your walls but not others? A piece of plastic film between the concrete and the stud wall? 55% is not super high humidity for a basement. I run my dehumidifier at about 50%, which is enough to keep musty odors down in the summer heat and humidity. Some people would probably go lower. If there is wet wall and floor, it may be a good idea to get a dehumidifier.

Oh boy... I can relate with the neighbor issue. Would you be willing to offer to pay for the work to be done? If so, you may want to go and talk to him and explain the situation, see how he reacts and if need be tell him you'll be willing to hire someone to add diverters and pay for it. If he wants you to pay but use his own contractor, ask him for the name and you'll be happy to handle it all. As you don't want to wait for him to decide when it's going to get done- if ever. If he refuses on any level, then call the city and find out what your options are. Good luck.