stressed water leak on ceiling

[fuzzyone]

Hi guys,

I'm getting really stressed with a newly discovered leak on the ceiling of the kitchen. After finding and fixing another leak caused by the cistern, this was easily traced and fixed (was dodgy valve and loose connectors).

Anyway, I have a water leak on my kitchen ceiling, above the kitchen is my small office, no trace of water there or near the radiator. I poked a small hole to drain the water and about a cup or 2 of water dripped out. I've turnt off the water valves bit by bit to see which was causing it, i 'think' its the hot water down service from the airing cupboard. Prior to this, I took apart a mixer shower in the ensuite (maybe i wiggled something loose??), no idea where the hot water pipe goes from but no hot water from there, only cold.

A friend pointed out it could be that, the ensuite is approx middle of the house, i'm guessing theres a bend above the kitchen but scared its dripping from a long pipe and just dripping on a bend.

The setup is a cold water tank in the loft, a hot water tank in the airing cupboard and the boiler is in the kitchen.

What should i do before calling in the experts as I'm really tight on budget and we're just bout to move in but cant because of this. Should I cut a hole big enough to stick my head through and try find the source?

Also where would the hot water for the ensuite valve be? Theres one for the bathroom so I'm assuming its that, if so, its not working

Please advise!

 

[swbjackson]

2 options take up the floor or take down the ceiling.

 

[muggles]

^^^ What he said

 

[Dan Robinson]

Losing the artex wouldn't be a bad thing. Lose the ceiling.

Out of interest, if you are south to move in, why Jo approach the previous owner/occupier as it is no doubt a preexisting fault?

 

[fuzzyone]

it was a nightmare to even get the previous vendors to tell us where the stop cock was! there no contact with them at all, the worst previous owners ever.

anyway, not sure if its an existing problem, no signs of damage before hand, so thinking could be me who caused it but possible wriggling a pipe? the pipes here on radiators are a thick plastic material, not the usual copper with some rubber joints.

Def looks cheap to me but nothing I can really do right now, at least its copper pipe in the boiler, also theres signs of soldering on the pipes, so definitely water problems before.

i guess the only way is to cut a slice of the ceiling off and go from there

luckly the kitchen is being refitted in a month, so gives me time to sort it out and patch it.

any tips?

 

[Dan Robinson]

And your solicitor? Sounds a little iffy to me.

 

[fuzzyone]

he couldnt even get their solicitor to tell us much. always problems.

Anyway, I think we found the problem, seems like a very small leak in the office radiator. Tightened it, few hours later rechecked and its not wet anymore.

Will have to see if the ceiling gets wet again. Fingers crossed this is it but still a few more problems with the house