Leak in ceiling

[David66316]

Hi everyone, just after a bit of advice as to whether I have done the right thing in this situation or not,

Customer phoned, wanted a pipe cutting back so it was under the floor boards instead of above where the airing cupboard used to be. I identified it as a heating pipe, so drained sytem down, cut pipe, soldered a few fittings and neatened it up under floorboards, but where I chopped on one of the sides had water in, not much but enoigh to soak my rag and go on the floor boards, so I used a compresiion fitting here. So left with satisfied customer untill today, customer phoned and said the ceiling has been stained from water upstairs where id been working. So I went back today, made sure my pipework was sound, and apologized and have now arranged a painter and decorator to repaint the ceiling.

So did I do the right thing by paying for this decorator to do this or should i have just left it and apologised, also whats the best way to avoid this happening again, should i use a wet vac? or just more rags, as it was under floorboards i couldnt use a bucket or tray it was too tight,


thanks in advance

 

[SimonG]

Doesn't sound as though you let out enough water to cause the staining. Did you see the ceiling prior to you doing the work?

 

[diamondgas]

If you know the stain wasn't there before and you were the cause then you did the right thing in my opinion. Under floor boards i use to use all sorts of things. Best 'tool' I have is an inhibitor bottle with a square cut out of one side from centre to top. It means you can catch about 1/2 Ltr of water then turn the bottle upright without spilling any Failing that I've used bin liners under pipes to catch water and a friend of mine has one of these small collapsible buckets .. They're handy

 

[David66316]

hi, yeah I looked at the ceiling she had only just painted it a few weeks ago apparently but it was all, white and no stained before I did the job, there was probably about a litre or water i would think, would that be enough to do it?

 

[SimonG]

Sounds like it then, so yes you did the right thing.

 

[Paulus]

I know it's a pain in the bum, but I always do a kind of risk assessment before doing work like this. Just a quick look round to see what could go wrong and always check the ceiling below for old stains.

I then make sure the customer understands the risks involved in what they want me to do. In your case it would obviously be a possible spillage which is difficult to control due to it being under the floorboards. Give the customer the two solutions
1) Water on ceiling.
2) More time spent lifting floorboards to improve access and more cost.

The customer then takes responsibility for your actions.

In the circumstances you did the right thing and I'm sure your customer will respect for it. A happy customer will give referrals.

 

[David66316]

I never thought of an old inhibitor bottle, I'm going to do that in future, So is it worth while me taking the wet vac on jobs with me, as I only have a small car at the moment until business picks up so there's not a lot of space.

 

[Paulus]

Personally I've never used a wet vac, just lots of old towels that I cadge from friends and relations. The microfibre ones are also really good when space is a problem.

 

[Simon F]

when the ceiling gets repainted it will need the stain sealing.
if it just gets painted over the stain it will probably show through again




maybe I should get this moved over to Dan's new decorating forum

 

[PlumbBobBob]

i'm sure the decorator should know to use stain stop before painting

 

[Howsie]

You did the right thing. Well done!

 

[stevetheplumber]

i always have a rubbish sack squidged underneath and appropriate push fits to hand to stop flow

 

[diamondgas]

I never thought of an old inhibitor bottle, I'm going to do that in future.

Don't throw the top away you'll need it

 

[royston]

Plenty of old towels and Chinese takeaway cartons. The plastic ones are very flimsy and give good bend to manoeuvre round pipes to get out,