Bathroom Hot water Tap Leak

[bobsy12]

Turned on my upstairs bathroom hot water tap tonight and heard a gushing sound. Looked under the sink and could see hot water gushing out. As the water was really hot I couldn't feel where it was coming from.

During the panic got lots of towels to soak up as much water as possible.

After what seemed an age got my wife to turn off the mains water and boiler.

On closer inspection it looks as if the metal braided hose has fractured. I never thought that this could happen. I'm concerned that this could happen to other taps around the house. Has anyone had this problem with these hoses?

Are there good and poor quality metal braided hoses available or a better alternative?

Some of the water had leaked down into the kitchen, via a staircase banister post. I think around 1-2 liters. Some water also came though the ceiling -only a few drops though. I can't see any kitchen ceiling discolouration or any bowing.

House is 12 years old.

Never had a flood like this before. The leaks have stopped but I don't know what to do next. Should I contact the insurance and get them to send someone out to check for plasterboard, electric damage?

Should I start to try and pick up the vinyl floor in the bathroom and cut through the floor to see how much water is lying on the kitchen ceiling?

The leak probably lasted 2-3 minutes in total, but unsure as to how much water went under the bathroom floor.

Any advice much appreciated?

 

[Whitespirit66]

Some flexis are better quality than others. If this one has leaked, I would presume that the others have degraded and replace them. Make sure the ones that you buy are WRAS approved, not the £1.99 versions. WRAS approval should hopefully give some indication that the flexis have been manufactured to a minimum standard.

If you wanted to be really sure, you could have the taps piped in ye olde copper, expertly shaped over a plumber's knee.

 

[robin7]

Should I start to try and pick up the vinyl floor in the bathroom and cut through the floor to see how much water is lying on the kitchen ceiling?

Read more: http://www.diynot.com/forums/plumbing/bathroom-hot-water-tap-leak.393910/#ixzz2tcvkFeif[/QUOTE]

Probably easier to make a couple of small holes in the kitchen ceiling (presumably plasterboard) with something like a bradawl or screwdriver, allowing any residual water to drain out. These small holes can then be easily filled with Polyfilla or similar, sanded and repainted.

 

[Blagard]

As Robin7 has indicated, if you suspect any volume of water is on the plasterboard them a small hole is all you need to do.

The plasterboard should dry out fine although you may get some decoration discolouration. The electrics will be fine unless water gets into a fitting like a ceiling rose or light switch. - If that was the case you would probably see water dripping from the light fitting. If the leak was near to a location above a light switch take care that water did not run down the cable route into the switch. It is then just a question of drying out. The cables themselves will not be damaged by water.