Suspected leaking pipe in concrete floor

[Jock Spanners]

Dear All,

I need a second opinion. I have a customer with an engineered oak floor which keeps discolouring apparently from damp below. The floor is in the corner of a cloakroom and near to central heating pipes. When the floor is lifted it does not appear to be soaking wet. I suspect a pinhole is feeding moisture into the concrete which is rising and finding itself trapped below the oak. When the floor is up it is simply evaporating. What is the easiest solution - did up the concrete and replace the pipes?

 

[Last Plumber]

If it's not a major issue, bolster the floor (neat square) and have a look. It can always be made good and that way you'll expose the pipes and be able to either repair or rule them out.

 

[Jim09876]

If it's not a major issue, bolster the floor (neat square) and have a look. It can always be made good and that way you'll expose the pipes and be able to either repair or rule them out.

 

[Jim09876]

Was a laughing emoji too.

 

[Rob Foster]

Dear All,

I need a second opinion. I have a customer with an engineered oak floor which keeps discolouring apparently from damp below. The floor is in the corner of a cloakroom and near to central heating pipes. When the floor is lifted it does not appear to be soaking wet. I suspect a pinhole is feeding moisture into the concrete which is rising and finding itself trapped below the oak. When the floor is up it is simply evaporating. What is the easiest solution - did up the concrete and replace the pipes?

Up the pressure temporary to make the pinhole show itself..
beware ...often these leaks go around in gangs due to dodgy work or poor stuff. Make sure your contract does not leave you holding the baby. big disclaimer ....centralheatking

 

[Burger]

Dear All,

I need a second opinion. I have a customer with an engineered oak floor which keeps discolouring apparently from damp below. The floor is in the corner of a cloakroom and near to central heating pipes. When the floor is lifted it does not appear to be soaking wet. I suspect a pinhole is feeding moisture into the concrete which is rising and finding itself trapped below the oak. When the floor is up it is simply evaporating. What is the easiest solution - did up the concrete and replace the pipes?

As Rob has said - if it’s a sealed system up the pressure to try and make the leak show itself. Have you checked the condition of the external walls? It could be rising damp, or penetration from outside.

 

[Last Plumber]

Was a laughing emoji too.

I don't get it?

 

[Aire]

My experience of leaks in screed is there is always some evidence of it. It could be rising damp if there is no dpm under the concrete/screed. Is there a vapour barrier between the wooden floor and the screed?

 

[Rob Foster]

My experience of leaks in screed is there is always some evidence of it. It could be rising damp if there is no dpm under the concrete/screed. Is there a vapour barrier between the wooden floor and the screed?

very sensible observations CW
the Op should consider this
regards Rob Foster

 

[Jock Spanners]

Thanks guys. It's probably a 1930's house. The floor backs onto an internal wall. The affected area is around the flow pipe to a radiator fed from a combi. It's strange that it doesn't appear damp with the floor up but and soon as we put it back down the problem comes back. If she hadn't spent a fortune on an engineered oak floor I'll tell her to stick some vinyl down and forget about it. She's been a good customer but the job strikes me as being a potential can of worms nightmare.