Sunday night fun aka copper heating pipe leak in concrete .

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Location
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Little background:

Combi boiler that has been needing a ‘top-up’ every two weeks, so I had an idea there was a leak…… No leaking rads, no stains on ceilings, no puddles anywhere.

Noticed the laminate leading to the kitchen had gaps appearing in it….


Oh joy! Looks like the previous owner installed new rads with a greater centre depth than the originals and took the easy way out. It’s leaking from the tee. Water has made it about 30cm up the wall also so I’m guessing it’s been going a while.

Not sure why there is a compression joint hiding in there also.

Now my plan, unless there are better ideas. One of these:

http://www.bhl.co.uk/product/SPEEDFIT_15MM_SLIP_TEE_CONNECTOR

And one of these.

http://www.bhl.co.uk/product/15MM_SPEEDFIT_15MM_PIPE_REPAIR_KIT

In one of these.

http://www.bhl.co.uk/product/HEP20_CONDUIT_JUNCTION_BOX_HX100

Was thinking either a small section of pipe bending from the tee to the rad, or three 90 degree elbows and have pipe coming out of the wall to the rad.

Yes/No/Maybe?

Cheers in advance.
 
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Always some arsehole buries pipes with no protection at all, always bites someones arse even if it's years later.
 
without even removing the concrete you can tell whoever did that had no pride in their work - the radiator tail is on the pi** !
 
It has all the hallmarks of a cowboy job. Get a heating/plumbing insurance, you will need it.
 
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I would only ever attach push fit to new pipework, or pipes that are in good condition.

Your pipes have been buried in screed, or whatever. You had to dig them out, then scrape the material off of them. I wouldn't then consider your pipes good enough for a reliable long-term seal with speedfit, as the pipe surface may be slightly damaged.

Best to repair this with soldered joints, the only type of joints that should really be buried in solid floors.
 
Little background:

Combi boiler that has been needing a ‘top-up’ every two weeks, so I had an idea there was a leak…… No leaking rads, no stains on ceilings, no puddles anywhere.

There may not have been any of those specific things.

But it looks as if the wall has had obvious signs of dampness for a very long time!

I am sure that a simple pin type of damp meter would have innediately confirmed dampness.

Tony
 
Best to repair this with soldered joints, the only type of joints that should really be buried in solid floors.

The fittings would be in a junction box, so not actually buried.


So I could keep an eye on them for a while before putting the floor back.

Not sure how good my soldering would be with the only real heat access from the top of the pipe.

It has all the hallmarks of a cowboy job. Get a heating/plumbing insurance, you will need it.

I may well do, there are 3 more radiators downstairs all with their tails at jaunty angles........
 
And this is always the problem with repairing CH leaks under concrete floors.
You chop up the floor find a leak, repair it, re-fill system only to find yet another leak and on you go.
Also whilst you are chopping up the floor you are also possibly creating other leaks.

A proffesional plumber would always want to re-pipe it and surface mount that pipework.
Is this possible?
************
 
What sheathing is there on the copper to protect it from corrosion in concrete? I thought bare copper should never be buried in concrete.
 
Just noticed those high heels in the first pic. Think wifey probably speared the pipework!
 
Looks a tidy job!

Fill it up, get it hot and Bobs your uncle. Buy some rubber gloves and get out the denso.

Mr. W.
 

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