Should I break this mortar and see if drainage needs fixing?

[JP_]

Signs of damp - ground a bit wet, corroded pipe, and some woodworm on a joist.
This is possible cause.
Should I break up and see?

 

[blup]

Only if you are ready to repair any damage to the clay soil pipe that might well result, or have someone on hand who can do this and fit a plastic to clay pipe adapter.

Is the damp/wet the result of a relatively recent repair, and just needs to dry out, or a leak from the copper pipe?

Blup

 

[JP_]

Is the damp/wet the result of a relatively recent repair, and just needs to dry out, or a leak from the copper pipe?

Well, good point! Not sure. It could have got wet when I removed the toilet.... there's been no repairs recently

The wet on the right is from when I used the tap to wash the soil pipe a bit earlier.
But water didn't get over to the wall under the green corroded pipe.

Leaking pipe is a possibility. Maybe I will leave it for a week - water pipes are being replaced and moved to centre of room on Monday, I've only cleared all the dust and debris out today, so will give it time to dry out. Maybe I will pour a few cans of water down the soil pipe if it looks dry to see if that makes it wet again. Toilet had not been used for about 2 weeks though, so it should be dry ...

It is a mystery .... is the corrosion worse by the soil pipe because the pipe is wet, or is the pipe wet because the corrosion is worse ...

 

[JohnD]

Bear in mind that if you don't do it while the floor is up and the joint is exposed, it will be a hundred times harder once the floor is down and the new bathroom is fitted.

salt-glazed clay pipes are notorious for cracks, leaks, and bodged "repairs."

 

[JohnD]

Only if you are ready to repair any damage to the clay soil pipe that might well result, or have someone on hand who can do this and fit a plastic to clay pipe adapter.

yes, be ready for that.

 

[JP_]

for now I've shoved a tissue under the water pipe, will see if this stays dry.
I'll ask my plumber on Monday if he does drainage too.

 

[tell80]

Like blup said you should be able to use a plastic to clay but better you get a plumber in to do all the soil and waste and renew all the supply and c/h pipework and open up and clear that mess of sand and cement.
If he doesnt do drainage then hes not a plumber.
Maybe you lift the joists and mark all your fixture centres then install a new floor joist arrangemeent thats firmly fixed and well ventilated.
Does the salt glaze run to a manhole - if it does then it can be tested for leakage.
Wheres your soil and vent stack?

 

[JP_]

When the extension was done on the other side of the wall, the builders said that the clay pipe leading to the drain was damaged, and they replaced it with plastic from the outside of the house - here's a photo

the vent stack is off to the right on the new external wall - the right one here

old pipe before it was replaced

 

[JP_]

for now I've shoved a tissue under the water pipe, will see if this stays dry.

tissue dry, no immediate sign of the corroded pipe leaking ...

I can take my time, the new window won't be ready for a few weeks

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Signs of damp - ground a bit wet, corroded pipe, and some woodworm on a joist.
This is possible cause.
Should I break up and see?

In your second photo - It looks as if the right hand timber might have rotted out and been replaced in the past, judging by the supported joint.

 

[JP_]

In your second photo - It looks as if the right hand timber might have rotted out and been replaced in the past, judging by the supported joint.

That is possible, there was a lot of rot along that side of the house (this is the final room I am renovated, 6 + hall already done), although I assumed the previous bathroom fitter just removed it and bodged it to get the drain in place!

 

[JP_]

So, how do I do the leak test? I assume just shove something in the drain outlet and fill the drain to the top and watch?
What is a big drain plug called, where can I get one delivered from quickly? I might need to pop to Wickes this week actually

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Am I right in thinking your pictures in Post 1 and 8 are of the same pipework, just either side of the wall, and the only bit of Salt Glazed left is actually where it passes through the wall? I suppose thats all now buried under the floor of the extension? Ideally would have been better to replace the lot, given how short the section is through the wall and under the floor.

 

[JP_]

Yeah. THe extension work was done in 2018, and at the time this was our only bathroom, so we weren't going to start breaking that up. Hopefully it will all be fixed soon ... looks like I need to DIY it, or seek a drainage guy.

 

[JP_]

So, how do I do the leak test? I assume just shove something in the drain outlet and fill the drain to the top and watch?
What is a big drain plug called, where can I get one delivered from quickly? I might need to pop to Wickes this week actually

View attachment 248254

Is this the best tool for the job?

https://www.thesafetysupplycompany....r-test---with-schrader-valve---ho-83032.html#