Waste pipe leak external

I have noticed a small leak on the external water pipe coming from our ensuite.

It's a grey pipe about 1/6 in diameter. The pipe comes out of the pvc soffit

The leak is a slight drip down the pipe, very small at the moment.

Is this a job for a plumber , not to sure when it's a waste pipe....

I will take a photo tomorrow when the sun is up!

wilser

From what you describe it is the overflow pipe coming from the water tank/tanks in the attic.
More than likely a new ball cock is what you will need. You might get away with cleaning the old one, especially if there has been work done outside with the water mains, but you'd be better off replacing it for the sake of a few euro.

wilser

wilser wrote: »

From what you describe it is the overflow pipe coming from the water tank/tanks in the attic.
More than likely a new ball cock is what you will need. You might get away with cleaning the old one, especially if there has been work done outside with the water mains, but you'd be better off replacing it for the sake of a few euro.

That actually sounds grand.... Last time I listen to my brother in law!!
I have put up the picture, the pipe on the left of the house is the vent and the leaky one is on the right

Atlantic Dawn

For a cheap fix I would try some Tec7 or similar sealent, it works underwater so will work fine if joint is damp. Try to have nobody use the toilet for an hour or so when it sets.

Calahonda52

u need to look in the attic space to try see whats going on, can't see where the joint is.
One of these I did recently the pipe had dropped down the wall and became unstuck from the elbow above because it was cut too short.
I used some mastic tape to wrap around the pipe, one wrap below the elbow and then an overlapping one around the gap, and a third one for good measure. Its perfect.

dodzy

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

For a cheap fix I would try some Tec7 or similar sealent, it works underwater so will work fine if joint is damp. Try to have nobody use the toilet for an hour or so when it sets.

Are you for real ?

OP, as wilser said, its the overflow pipe from the storage tank in the attic. Replace the ballcock. Don't waste your time with Tec7.

Calahonda52

Guys: he said
I have put up the picture, the pipe on the left of the house is the vent and the leaky one is on the right

My read is its the 110mm grey pipes we are discussing here, not the two overflows

Calahonda52

Calahonda52 wrote: »

Guys: he said
I have put up the picture, the pipe on the left of the house is the vent and the leaky one is on the right

My read is its the 110mm grey pipes we are discussing here, not the two overflows

If it helps the house is a three story semi-d with the master bedroom ensuite on top floor. The toilet in the ensuite is in line with the grey outside pipe which was what led us to believe it was a water pipe first day but this was just an assumption.

dodzy

EvilWonka wrote: »

If it helps the house is a three story semi-d with the master bedroom ensuite on top floor. The toilet in the ensuite is in line with the grey outside pipe which was what led us to believe it was a water pipe first day but this was just an assumption.

Ah, yes. Now I see. Calahonda, hats off sir.

OP, I take it these are all 2 stories with converted attic (used as main bedroom and adjoining ensuite)?

greasepalm

ahh now i see 2 small pipes in soffit magnify to see better works,would agree on water through overflow of tank ,but is it not a seal that needs replacing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTQy27l7qDQ

dodzy

dodzy wrote: »

Ah, yes. Now I see. Calahonda, hats off sir.

OP, I take it these are all 2 stories with converted attic (used as main bedroom and adjoining ensuite)?

Yes you got it!

So herself was having a shower this morning and actually got a good picture of the leak.

Czhornet

Any dampness on the inside? Any brown spots on a ceiling near the internal wall with your neighbours? If not then its probably at the 90' bend in the soffit. Mastic/silicone will stop it for a while but it wont be a long term fix. It will be hard enough to get at, but the best job would be to replace the 90' bend (prob a seal is cut and its not seated properly) be careful working at heights....

Czhornet

Czhornet wrote: »

Any dampness on the inside? Any brown spots on a ceiling near the internal wall with your neighbours? If not then its probably at the 90' bend in the soffit. Mastic/silicone will stop it for a while but it wont be a long term fix. It will be hard enough to get at, but the best job would be to replace the 90' bend (prob a seal is cut and its not seated properly) be careful working at heights....

No signs of damp or mould on the inside.
Will try and take a look inside the soffit later.

Thanks guys

Czhornet

You might get to see where the leak is coming from by using a torch and looking up through the air vent in the soffit. BTW this vent would be the starting point for taking down the pvc soffit if you have to do further investigation. its not as brittle as the rest as the soffit board. good luck and let us know how you get on.

dodzy

EvilWonka wrote: »

Yes you got it!

So herself was having a shower this morning and actually got a good picture of the leak.

Any access to the waste pipe from attic storage points (Service access ) ? This might be a possibility and would obviously be safer than the outside ladder option.

If not, then it's soffit off for a better look, and that route would be difficult, especially if you are trying to replace a 90deg bend with possibly very restricted room to work and pipework that might offer very little wiggle room