Leak downstairs & empty attic water-tank!

sticker

Hey all,

About a week ago the hot kitchen tap was running cold, then spat out some ice and stopped altogether...

I assumed the cold spell had frozen the pipes, Then today, we noticed that some lying water was noticable under the kitchen units and in the adjacement bathroom floor under the lino. It was quite wet, but there didn't seem to be a source and it was simply 'there' and not getting any worse...

We then discovered that the water tank in the attic was empty so we're now without any hot water of toilet facilities (beyond the manual method!). The water in the kitchen and downstairs bathroom floors seemed to be drying back now.

As a protective measure, I turned off the water supply from the street under the kitchen sink.

I can understand if the main pipe from the street that feeds the tank might have froze, that we may have used the existing tank water over time and it would simply empty without resupply, but I can't see any connection to the leak downstairs that miracously 'fixed itself' -! - Its important to note it started drying back BEFORE we turned off the water supply from the street.

It might be no coincidence that this leaked water appeared in the "thaw night" - ?! that ice inside the walls simply melted, but the tank in the attic empty is another concern.

Any ideas or advice? I'm living in Clonee if there are any plumbers in the area available to have a quick look! Thanks for taking the time to read my post! Any help would be much appreciated!

Tom Slick

The leak didn't fix itself, it more than likely stopped because the tank emptied. When it refills there's a good chance it will start again.

sticker

Tom Slick wrote: »

The leak didn't fix itself, it more than likely stopped because the tank emptied. When it refills there's a good chance it will start again.

Thanks for the quick reply!

...Any idea why an entire tank can empty leaving a small/moderate leak on the ground floor? - if the entire tank contents leaked, it would be significantly more water than the amount that appeared. I have carefully checked all rooms and the attic, no signs of leakage at all...

Tom Slick

It wasn't the entire tankful that leaked (I hope). Some (maybe most) of the water would have been used.
I could be completely wrong on this but have seen similar problems these last few weeks.

sticker

Tom Slick wrote: »

It wasn't the entire tankful that leaked (I hope). Some (maybe most) of the water would have been used.
I could be completely wrong on this but have seen similar problems these last few weeks.

Fair enough Tom - Whats the next step? Can leaks be sourced without pulling plasterboard asunder? Did you remedy this type of issue before yourself?

Tom Slick

It might be possible to work out roughly where the leak is without pulling the place apart. I presume you have examined all visible pipework in the affected area? (even drain pipes)

sticker

Tom Slick wrote: »

It might be possible to work out roughly where the leak is without pulling the place apart. I presume you have examined all visible pipework in the affected area? (even drain pipes)

..internally yes, but given the rain and heavy thaw, it's hard to check the exterior...

Tom Slick

I suppose it's a case of getting the mains supply back & keeping an eye out for floods; be ready to turn it off again or shut off the supply pipes from the attic tank. Good luck!

sticker

Tom Slick wrote: »

I suppose it's a case of getting the mains supply back & keeping an eye out for floods; be ready to turn it off again or shut off the supply pipes from the attic tank. Good luck!

Many Thanks Tom - you've been a great help - much appreciated...

I'll obviously see about getting a plumber out to have a look, I don't know what pipes are which in the attic to shut off the supply to the tank, So if I turn it on, I might be flooding the house again behind the walls without knowing! Cheers again.

Buford T Justice

sticker wrote: »

Many Thanks Tom - you've been a great help - much appreciated...

I'll obviously see about getting a plumber out to have a look, I don't know what pipes are which in the attic to shut off the supply to the tank, So if I turn it on, I might be flooding the house again behind the walls without knowing! Cheers again.

The supply to the tank in the attic will be the one going to the top of the tank connected to the ballcock. So, if you can't turn the water off and you need to , you can just tie up the ballcock and that'll do the same job.

sticker

Fingers McGee wrote: »

The supply to the tank in the attic will be the one going to the top of the tank connected to the ballcock. So, if you can't turn the water off and you need to , you can just tie up the ballcock and that'll do the same job.

Thanks mate!

I managed to source a plumber - he's here now... I will post back what we discover in case others have the same issue!

EDIT - The problem was burst Pipes in the kitchen supply (in four places) - Looks like the origional builder taking shortcuts not using the right fittings and placing the pipes right beside the exterior walls without any insulation.