Leak in system

Hedgecutter

I have just discovered that I probably have a leak. The bottom of a press in the kitchen is black and starting to swelling.

Where do I start to find the leak.

NickNickleby

look directly under the sink. feel around the waste pipe connection for wetness, then locate the hot and cold pipes where they connect to the taps, feel around for wet.

Here's what happened to me:
stopcock was leaking (well a small drip actually) through the spindle. There's a kind of locknut around said spindle, and a slight nip on it with an open ended spanner stopped the drip. Finding the stopcock might be fun.

Check the washing machine. perhaps the outlet is backing up and overflowing. Or a leak from the pipe connection on the back, or worse a leak from somewhere under the machine - caution electricity and water do not mix!!! Unplug machine before investigating.

if its as bad as it sounds, it should be easy to locate. Get a torch.

Nick

Hedgecutter

NickNickleby wrote: »

look directly under the sink. feel around the waste pipe connection for wetness, then locate the hot and cold pipes where they connect to the taps, feel around for wet.

Here's what happened to me:
stopcock was leaking (well a small drip actually) through the spindle. There's a kind of locknut around said spindle, and a slight nip on it with an open ended spanner stopped the drip. Finding the stopcock might be fun.

Check the washing machine. perhaps the outlet is backing up and overflowing. Or a leak from the pipe connection on the back, or worse a leak from somewhere under the machine - caution electricity and water do not mix!!! Unplug machine before investigating.

if its as bad as it sounds, it should be easy to locate. Get a torch.


Nick

It seem to be around the hallway wall away from sink area.
Tiled Concrete floor in kitchen and timber floor at hallway side.
I'm looking at thermal imaging at the moment any option on that?

NickNickleby

Hi HC,
Can't comment on use of thermal imaging I'm afraid.

This is why I hate water. The evidence can often be distant from the source of the leak. THe one thing I've found is that leaks mostly occur at joints in the pipework. So, those bits under the sink are the first port of call. Water will easily find its way along a tiled floor to miraculously appear somewhere else.

There's another more daunting option.could the radiator in the hall be leaking and the water making its way under the laid floor until it reaches the kitchen???? THis is probably harder to investigate, try the easy stuff first.

Had any work done in the last 6 months? if so, might be something to investigate.

Is airing cupboard or bathroom directly above damage??

Hopefully a real plumber might read these posts and offer something. I'm just a lucky DIY'er!:o

Nick