uPVC pipe leak - is there an easy fix?

[Mjward]

Morning

Noticed a brown patch in the ceiling.. lovely.
Poked finger through and it was wet ie active leak.
Have cut away plasterboard and can see uPVC pipe with a gentle drip. From what I can tell this pipe is the combi boiler condensate to waste pipe.
Problem is in its an extremely difficult position to reach, above a pair of RSJs that I can barely fit a hand through.

Is there a recommended tape/sealant that although not ideal, would do the trick?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Hard to tell, but It may have to be done as piece work, rather than just sealing it up. Especially near a gas pipe.

 

[Mjward]

Starting to think why it's randomly started... Got me wondering if heat exchanger gone on combi. Have turned boiler off and it's still dripping after an hour or boiler being off. I'm no expert but I believe that's a sign it could be a boiler issue?

That said, even if HX fault, doesn't stop the fact that the pipe work should be sound. Most likely I have 2 issues

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Depends how much it’s been condensing, and if there’s a decent fall on the pipe, or even a backfall. Have replaced/repaired literally loads of these, sometimes they fail if the pipe hasn’t been prepared correctly, cleaned, or solvent weld all the way around the joint.

 

[Mjward]

For idea of route, pic below of pipe leaving combi, it then goes straight down to floor level and out in ceiling void below as original pic.

Separately....


After turning boiler off this pipework on UFH manifold has decided to start leaking now. I've turned boiler back on and hopefully stops but no idea what could trigger that nor what that Flexi pipe actually achieves

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Flexi pipes like that are generally for topping up system pressure/initial filling/additional filling.

 

[Mjward]

Flexi pipes like that are generally for topping up system pressure/initial filling/additional filling.

Got ya. Any reason it would start dripping when boiler off? Boiler been back on a while now and still going, seems a tight fitting too so can't see where leak is other than fitting itself.

Additionally.. have take up part of floor above to get access to original issue, looks like the pvc wipe is warped, could heat have done that?

 

[Gasmk1]

That looks like overflow pipe used for condensate and has been melted by the plumber when soldering that elbow been like that for a long time by the looks of it

 

[Mjward]

That looks like overflow pipe used for condensate and has been melted by the plumber when soldering that elbow been like that for a long time by the looks of it

Of course, now that you say that it makes a lot of sense... I knew this house was put together by cowboys but cowboys with flamethrowers is taking the P! That drip is very slow so will head off to get some 15mm pipe tomorrow and replace as much as I can.

With regards to Flexi to UFH manifold, I'm stumped. Both black levers in off position and still dripping quite heavily (1 litre an hour). Have even turned the isolation valve on lower connector and still dripping. I'm guessing the plumbers tape has come loose/not fitted properly but I can't see a way to take it off without water gushing. No obvious isolation.

Frustratingly I live in an area with not enough plumbers for people, been on waiting list 3 months to get other jobs done 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

 

[Deleted member 120897]

No reason why it’s should just start other than coincidence. What’s the 15mm for? Overflow is usually 21.5mm.

 

[Mjward]

No reason why it’s should just start other than coincidence. What’s the 15mm for? Overflow is usually 21.5mm.

You're right, 21.5mm

 

[Mjward]

All sorted, thanks for help!