Finding a hidden water leak

[MikeToll]

Thank you for the extensive post - that's exactly the big picture I'd not been grasping and great to have that (obvious to many no doubt) way of narrowing down the problem.

I think I've got a reasonable feel for where the various pipes go - especially the heating as I did some thermal imaging a while back so I'll press on with diagnosis.

Thanks again to all contributors.

 

[morg]

Could it be electric shower / mixers weeping internal valves which isn't obvious i. e a long/intermittent drip could go unnoticed

Can stopcocks weep in the open position (from the gland nut / turn shaft)

 

[YorkshireMidge]

Could it be electric shower / mixers weeping internal valves which isn't obvious i. e a long/intermittent drip could go unnoticed

Can stopcocks weep in the open position (from the gland nut / turn shaft)

Both are possible. Though in the case of an electric shower, whoever fitted it *ought* to have sealed around the mains water pipe - so any leak anywhere in the body of the electric shower would run out the bottom of the casing and down the shower wall, rather than running down the pipe and into the wall.

The O/P has turned the stop cock off as part of his diagnosis (see his original post) so I assume he would have noticed if it was dripping given the amount of water involved.

 

[Gary111]

Hi @MikeToll did you ever find what the leak was? I have a similar problem

 

[YorkshireMidge]

Hi @MikeToll did you ever find what the leak was? I have a similar problem

The reality is a slow leak/use of water could have a myriad of causes, so the answer from the O/P might not be that useful in your case. But hopefully the various experiences in the thread (and approach to narrowing down) will be, as they are based on the sorts of things we have all seen.
I'd add one more experience to the mix - and that was a washing machine hose union in our kitchen steadily dripping away out of sight many years back, and the water spreading out underneath a huge single piece of cushion floor spanning the kitchen and dining area. No visible sign whatsoever - just a faint whiff of damp.

Speaking personally, I think I've seen/experienced more leaks from unions of various types (tap connectors in particular) than anything else so that is always a good place to start - esp. under baths where the leak might be hidden from view behind a panel. Also worth checking any modern toilets that overflow into the bowl as was suggested at the start of the thread - because people using the loo means slight overflowing might go unoticed.

Hope you find it!

 

[MikeToll]

Hi @MikeToll did you ever find what the leak was? I have a similar problem

Hi, no I never got to the bottom of it - I still monitor the water meter in case of increased usage showing but otherwise life moved on until something makes itself known/seen/smelt. This thread did give great diagnostic information & tips for which I'm very grateful and hold ready to use again when needed.