Tiny leaks in central heating system (drip... drip..) and how to find them.

[gbsii]

Hi guys,
When the house is quiet I can hear a drip under the floorboards upstairs in the en-suite and the main bathroom. The drips occur every 10 to 15 seconds all the time (more frequent when the central heating system is running). I suspect some faulty solder joint in the pipes.
These leaks have put a hold on plans to tile the two bathrooms.
The question is: where exactly are the leaks? Is there any way to find the source other than breaking holes in the ceiling from below on a best guess basis?
My doomsday scenario is to be paying somebody to trash the house looking for these leaks.
Is there any better way?
Cheers,
Brian

 

[Simon F]

Hello Brian,
are there any stains developing on the ceiling?
can you not lift the floor boards to check what is happening?

 

[diamondgas]

I'd be asking the same regards stains ... Do you have a combi and are you having to keep topping up the pressure? If it's the bathroom above are you sure it isn't a tap, shower or toilet?

 

[JCplumb]

Are the dripping noises still there after the heating has been turned off for an hour or two? The noise you hear may be pipe movement which can sound like drips. If it's been going on for a while and there are no obvious signs of leaks i.e. water stains on ceilings then that would be my first thought.

 

[gbsii]

Hi Simon,
Yes there are some stains on the ceiling below both areas.
May have bite the bullet and lift the floorboards (tongue and groove)!
Brian

 

[JCplumb]

Easier than replastering a ceiling.

 

[AWheating]

lift the board and repair the leaks.... if your unsure how to do it yourself get a professional in.

 

[gbsii]

Hi diamondgas,
Yes there are stains on the ceiling below both areas. I don't have a combi boiler - just an old Baxi 50 (c. 1995 vintage).
Don't think it's a tap, shower or toilet. Frequency of drips increases when the heating is on.
By the way, yes I did add a couple of bottles of Oxypic but still the drip..., drip...
Brian

 

[diamondgas]

Hi diamondgas,
Yes there are stains on the ceiling below both areas. I don't have a combi boiler - just an old Baxi 50 (c. 1995 vintage).
Don't think it's a tap, shower or toilet. Frequency of drips increases when the heating is on.
By the way, yes I did add a couple of bottles of Oxypic but still the drip..., drip...
Brian

Well your stains are a dead give away If the'yre directly below the radiators double check that the valves aren't passing and running down the pipe?

 

[gbsii]

Yes,I agree. On balance, it's seem floorboard lifting is easier to fix up afterwards than replastering a ceiling.