Any idea how i go about sorting out this leak?

judeboy101

http:// postimg.org/ image/rxntl71up/

upstairs is the ensuite and this stain has appeared downstairs on the ceiling below it the waste pipe is behind the wall. any idea how I go about fixing it. pretty handy at most DIY but never encountered a problem like this

p.s ive broken the link to the image as i'm a "new user"

slinky2000

http://postimg.org/image/rxntl71up/

I'm afraid I think you're going to have to make a hole in the plasterboard where the leak is to have a look, if it's not clear from above the leak.

Does the waste pipe come down at the side of the room there? If it does the joint where is bends down probably isn't sealed correctly.

Sleeper12

Does the soil pipe run in the boxing behind the stain? It could be that,that's leaking

judeboy101

Yes it does. Its a false corner to conceal the pipe. Weird thing is, we are in the house (new when bought) 12 yrs and it suddenly leaks now. It it is a failed seal is it a "replace the pipe" or a "bit of sealant" type of job?

judeboy101

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Does the soil pipe run in the boxing behind the stain? It could be that,that's leaking

. Yes its a false corner to conceal pipe

TopTec

Unfortunately you will have to break into the boxing to reveal what I suspect is a junction in the soil/waste pipe behind. Do this in the upstairs ensuite. Score the edges of the boxing, probably plywood but easier if it is plasterboard, with a stanley knife to reveal the join.

Then it is a case of carefully cutting out one side with a saw, I would use a plasterboard saw, taking care to avoid what lies behind. You will feel any obstructions through the saw.

I would keep the size of the hole small, just enough for you to see inside and work out how the boxing was made and the best way to make a suitable access hole.

The pipe may have been connected with pipe cement which has come apart, probably through a very slight movement over the years. If this is the case you will need to re-join the connections.

Before you worry about what type of joins there are just get the access and work from there. You will have to resign yourself to a bit of damage to the boxing and possibly surrounding decoration but you have no other option.

TT

judeboy101

its weird . there is no upstairs boxing. the waste pipe for the toilet in the upstairs ensuite goes into the wall of the ensuite , no sign of the boxing you see I the pic. should I just remove some plaster board from behind the toilet in the ensuite and see if that gives me access?

TopTec

Does that waste pipe go directly outside? or is it likely that it runs behind the wall and then down through that boxed section below. Does your sink/shower/bath waste follow the same route?

Are your walls upstairs plasterboard on a metal frame work? If so then there will probably be room behind for the waste pipe or 4" soil pipe which is what it is. There is a possibility that the leak is coming from the rear outlet of the toilet then running down along the pipe to where it falls vertically down into your ground floor room.

TT

gutteruu

If you have any friends a plumber they probably have an inspection camera. (Lidl do them sometimes) 1 small hole should show everything. At least you know what your dealing with. Sometimes the leak can be further up and it runs along pipe and drops at the fitting or joint.

If it goes out through wall, look outside to see if there is a drainpipe. If there is, my guess is thats a utility and maybe your boiler is nearby? It could be the point where all your heating pipes go upstairs and might have nothing to do with your waste pipe but could be heating pipe?

BUT...be careful as that looks like your fusebox next to it so there are probably live cables running everywhere up there.

judeboy101

shower, sink and toilet all end up in that boxed section . upstairs plasterboard on timber I think . no sign of leak from flexible outlet pipe of toilet at least until it disappears into the wall. im inclined to cut out section behind the toilet see what I see as we are planning a new ensuite later this year so if I do a bit of butchering now its not a big thing lol. on a side note. how do you disconnect a toilet that is fed from the attic. ive only ever disconnected one that was fed of the mains.

judeboy101

noticed that fuse box lol.

TopTec

judeboy101 wrote: »

how do you disconnect a toilet that is fed from the attic. ive only ever disconnected one that was fed of the mains.

No difference from mains supply. You need to isolate the supply. When you say fed from the attic is that just where the main supply is run from or is it from something else?

As a tip - when you redo your en-suite put on isolating valves on all your cold and hot water feeds to bath/shower/toilet/sink, pretty cheap to do and saves so much hassle in the future.

TT

judeboy101

The toilets seem to be fed by tank in attic. Usually I would turn off mains going into house and remove the toilet but if I do that in this house id have to empty the
tank. Seems like a waste of water

TopTec

Unless you can stop the water feeding the toilet you won't have any option other than to drain it the tank. If it is a ball valve inside the tank just tie it up with string and then flush the toilet until the water stops.

TT

DublinDilbert

judeboy101 wrote: »

The toilets seem to be fed by tank in attic. Usually I would turn off mains going into house and remove the toilet but if I do that in this house id have to empty the
tank. Seems like a waste of water

Nearly every house will have isolation valves on the water coming from the attic tank. Typically two 3/4 inch isolation valves one for cold feeds and other to bottom of coper cylinder for hot water.

gutteruu

I'm guessing you don't see one of these on inlet to cistern? Bit smaller than regular valve. Just on the fuse box, I hate to be a naggy wife but I don't know how competent you are. Make sure you isolate it outside at the meter if you can at all. The main cable coming into the house is near where your ripping up but because this cable is pre-fusebox it will still be live and you have no protection if you hit it (RCD, breakers etc are all after).

judeboy101

Found it at back of hotpress. Thanks

judeboy101

Thanks. Mains comes up to the fuse box . I'm going to be working above the box so will hopefully be ok. I'll turn of electricity just in case as any wire I might hit will be post fuse box.