How can these things happen and best course of action for repair?

thandroids · Dec 25, 2017

Hi, guys a while back there was supposedly a leak coming from my bathroom to the flat below me, but I don't think the leak was actually from my bath or toilet. What could have caused this as it seems there is always some sort of leak no matter if bath or toilet is replaced etc. Have you seen this kind of damage and what is normally the cause?

ShaunCorbs · Dec 25, 2017

Seal around the bath ok ?

firemant · Dec 25, 2017

Last year I went to a job with similar problem. As well as mould, the downstairs flat had a thriving wall of mushrooms.

Thought we found the leak, but it was not big enough to account for the issue. Almost accidentally, I spotted a jet of water, tucked away. The copper pipe was pinholed and probably was for a long time.

So it is a case of getting access to the pipes in the rear and having a good look using good lighting.

Merry Christmas

thandroids · Dec 25, 2017

ShaunCorbs said:
Seal around the bath ok ?

Yep, no leaks under bath.

thandroids · Dec 25, 2017

firemant said:
Last year I went to a job with similar problem. As well as mould, the downstairs flat had a thriving wall of mushrooms.

Thought we found the leak, but it was not big enough to account for the issue. Almost accidentally, I spotted a jet of water, tucked away. The copper pipe was pinholed and probably was for a long time.

So it is a case of getting access to the pipes in the rear and having a good look using good lighting.

Merry Christmas

Merry Xmas to you too!
I cant see any copper behind just waste pipes, could it be coming from outside the building you think?

Allgoode · Dec 25, 2017

Personally i would go for tile grout to bath seal joint area by the looks of the streaking on plaster behind bath.
Also looks like tiles only reach to edge of bath which is fine if you are not using a shower or shower head a unless with screen that has been properly fitted.
I would strip out old sealant around bath & then re-grout/re-seal.
Marry Christmas,
Andy (Allgoode)

thandroids · Dec 25, 2017

Allgoode said:
Personally i would go for tile grout to bath seal joint area by the looks of the streaking on plaster behind bath.
Also looks like tiles only reach to edge of bath which is fine if you are not using a shower or shower head a unless with screen that has been properly fitted.
I would strip out old sealant around bath & then re-grout/re-seal.
Marry Christmas,
Andy (Allgoode)

Nothing to do with the bath, its sealed fine. : (
Merry xmas.

Chuck · Dec 26, 2017

Don't be too quick to blame your plumbing. Another possibility is penetrating damp, due to rain being blown by wind into gaps in pointing or around drainpipes/overflows that have not been sealed properly.

What's on the otherside of the affected wall and what's above your bathroom?

thandroids · Dec 26, 2017

Chuck said:
Don't be too quick to blame your plumbing. Another possibility is penetrating damp, due to rain being blown by wind into gaps in pointing or around drainpipes/overflows that have not been sealed properly.

What's on the otherside of the affected wall and what's above your bathroom?

As I said no leak from bath or toilet, but the property was built by muppets/cowboys by my observation of wiring and pluming under the sink and a multitude of other questionable things, but anyway...
I have been thinking this myself, that maybe its coming from outside and running down the wall when it rains or something like that.
The roof is above the bathroom....

Scott_D · Dec 26, 2017

Could be a leak that shows when you flush the toilet or empty the bath

thandroids · Dec 27, 2017

scott_d said:
Could be a leak that shows when you flush the toilet or empty the bath

Negative. I think it must be from in the wall or above the property getting into the walls somehow :-(

scott_d said:
Could be a leak that shows when you flush the toilet or empty the bath

Think its coming from huge waste pipe in the wall. I never knew what this square wood screwed into my living room wall was so I removed it, and its just covering a HUGE cut out in the wall, and whats behind it?....a huge waste pipe.
So seems in this has been going on before I even occupied the property. They attempted to fix the problem in the past and left this huge hole in the wall and just covered it with a piece of wood. I guess I know why their is bubbling on the living room wall now too.

moonlight · Dec 27, 2017

I went to something similar in the past. Badly fitted tiles. Hope you sort your problem.

kentplumbing · Dec 30, 2017

ok, the leak does not have to be coming from that Particular area, water finds its lowest point? also, in that ducting, is there a Soil vent that goes through the roof? had this in the past with rainwater.

sammathias · Dec 30, 2017

Do you have a flat above yours?? Looks personally like the seal aroumd the bath. Have you directed your shower head around the seal and checked nothing is weeping?

Saying is there a flat above because i found a wastepipe that had come apart under boards of a flat on the 4th floor, travelled down stud walls and was only showing on ground floor ceiling.

thandroids · Dec 30, 2017

kentplumbing said:
ok, the leak does not have to be coming from that Particular area, water finds its lowest point? also, in that ducting, is there a Soil vent that goes through the roof? had this in the past with rainwater.

I really do think that is what the cause is. Trying to get someone in, who knows what they are doing.

thandroids · Dec 30, 2017

sammathias said:
Do you have a flat above yours?? Looks personally like the seal aroumd the bath. Have you directed your shower head around the seal and checked nothing is weeping?

Saying is there a flat above because i found a wastepipe that had come apart under boards of a flat on the 4th floor, travelled down stud walls and was only showing on ground floor ceiling.

Yep. Sounds like whats going on. The waste pipe.

MoniczkaMoniczka · Jan 3, 2018

Thandroids
did you use a thermovision camera?

Hydraulik Gdańsk

thandroids · Jan 3, 2018

MoniczkaMoniczka said:
Thandroids
did you use a thermovision camera?
Hydraulik Gdańsk

I'm arranging for someone to investigate. I'll see if they use one. But all evidence already points to the waste pipe or rain coming in.Cant be anything else as previous plumbers have not been able to find anything originating from inside the property.

How can these things happen and best course of action for repair?

thandroids

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