leak from upstairs tiled bathroom!

[wonder_bliss]

Help! Advice needed as to a leak that is dripping from the upstairs tiled bathroom to the room below. The tiles are expensive and I do not really want to lift these up in the hope of locating the leak given the hassle/expense/likely cracking of tiles. The leak to the ceiling below is at a fairly fast drip rate which starts when the C/H is switched on. Though the drips fall from a certain localised area in the ceiling below I am unsure if this is actually a leak from a pipe or if the leak is directly above the localised area as it may be from elsewhere and just rolling down to that spot! Any advice on what the best course of action - lift tiles?, making a hole in the ceiling downstairs?, or any other ideas that I haven't though of? Thanking you in advance

 

[rochdalegas]

Is the boiler pressurised? If so is it looseing any pressure.

 

[Hot&Cold]

Maybe you have insurance cover for trace & repair water leaks and the subsequent water damage ?

 

[wonder_bliss]

I'm no DIY person so unsure if the boiler is pressured. Its a Baxi. Will have to check. I suspect having the boiler fitted downstairs in the garage pumping water all the way upstairs to the bathroom may have put pressure on the pipes (micro pipe to radiator - if thats the right word)

 

[wonder_bliss]

I have insurance but unsure if it covers for trace and repair, alternatively I can get my brother to look at it, though he recommends cutting a hole in the ceiling.

 

[terryplumb]

Easier / cheaper to cut holes in plasterboard ceiling ( assuming its plasterboard ) ,rather than breaking out tiles. Before doing either you should rule out other possibilities .for instance if you have a bath with a removable panel ,remove and check area below bath. Same if you have a shower. W.C pipework etc

 

[wonder_bliss]

seems like the consensus is hole in the ceiling so far. Will follow advise as to check other possibilities of the leak from shower, WC. The only radiator in the bathroom is towel radiator and I strongly suspect its the pipework under the tiles that connects to this that is the problem.

 

[just pumps]

Cut hole(s) in ceiling and buy a cheap endoscope with leds.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Endo...hash=item41d439bab5:m:m16QWmKr0b_uaDvOOwkyPnA

 

[Daveydub]

But before you cut holes, have a really good look at the pipes to the towel rail, wipe them with a tissue, just to make certain that it is not just a leak from pipe to valve connection dribbling down the pipe to below the floor.

 

[wonder_bliss]

Did look at the towel rail, bath pipes, sink/basin pipes - no sign of any leaks or water running. Had an idea of seeing if switching off suspect radiator (actually one of two I suspect) that I think the pipe feeding into it is causing the leak. Switched off the towel radiator by turning the valve and nearby corridor radiator (I think its the pipe to one of these that is causing the leak) then switched on the C/H to see if the leak appears. My logic is that if no leak appears then it must be one one the pipes that feed into one of these radiators. Will switch on the radiators in turn and see if the leak appears. If leak appears when one of these radiators is turned on then I have the culprit pipe! - Actually not sure if this simple method will work as seems too easy a way or if piping under the floor is connected in a way that would allow this method to work. Really trying all avenues before cutting a hole.

 

[terryplumb]

Turning a radiator valve off will not prevent water from leaking from a pipe that is connected to it . the pipes are still full of water and under the c/heating system pressure .did you check the waste pipes / traps on the above you mentioned ,whilst running water through them ? Try spraying water from a shower around the sealed edges of bath / shower cubicles ,see if any water is passing and finding its way downward.

 

[wonder_bliss]

Cheers Terryplumb, will try that. Suspected what you mentioned as to pipes still full of water despite valve off but thought worth a shot. Strangely though no leak appeared, but from what you says turning the radiator valves makes no difference. Will hold back on cutting a hole until further investigation re: any leaks around sealed edges. I would be very surprised it was this as there was a fair few drops of water when leak appeared which I don't think was caused by water seeping via edges of bathroom furniture, more akin to coming from a pipe. Will try switching not the C/H tonight with all radiator valves open and see what happens, will also over the weekend spraying water around seals to see if anything occurs.

 

[wonder_bliss]

Is the boiler pressurised? If so is it looseing any pressure.

Yes, the boiler is pressured (Baxi Megaflo 2 System Compact GA Range) - gauge shows pressure having been lost. Topped it up. Is this something I should be worried about and linked to this?

 

[Hot&Cold]

Its a process of elimination,check the boiler pressure gauge at regular intervals whilst the boiler pump is not running and at the same boiler temperature.Record the gauge readings but ensure the temperature is the same for all readings and no pump running.

Is there any air in your top floor radiators ?

was the boiler pressure topped up,before the water leak.

What plumbing equipment and pipework is above the leak area,within a 2m radius ? Also have there been any changes to any water plumbing in that area.

dare to say it but is the plumbing where the leak is thought to be Diy plumbing ?

Leaks,love em.

 

[rochdalegas]

Yes, the boiler is pressured (Baxi Megaflo 2 System Compact GA Range) - gauge shows pressure having been lost. Topped it up. Is this something I should be worried about and linked to this?

If it loses its pressure quickly or the leak starts up straight after refilling it would confirm the leak is indeed in pipes to radiator. As others have said check around rad valves and anyhing obvious with dry paper towel before you go pulling ceilings down