Damned leak !

jos28

I have a sneaking suspicion that our immersion tank is leaking from underneath. It's not major but obviously needs to be sorted. I'm in the house 25 years and never touched it so it has served us well.
How can I confirm that the leak is underneath the tank ? Everything around the bottom seems fine which makes me think it's under the floorboards. How big a job is it for a plumber to remove and replace the tank ? Any idea of cost involved ?

Sleeper12

Just out of curiosity, why do you think it's leaking. Is there any evidence of it leaking?

jos28

There are watermarks on the kitchen ceiling directly underneath it. The shower is beside the tank but the marks aren't that far over

ted1

Water tends to flow to the lowest point and pool there, the leak could be from anywhere. I found several tunes that the leak is from the silicone around the bath or shower failing. Check for gaps

jos28

Cheers Ted, finding the source of the leak is going to be the main problem. I'm going to stand in the kitchen when someone takes a shower and I'm going on a search mission tomorrow.
I may have to hire the services of a water diviner

Sleeper12

jos28 wrote: »

Cheers Ted, finding the source of the leak is going to be the main problem. I'm going to stand in the kitchen when someone takes a shower and I'm going on a search mission tomorrow.
I may have to hire the services of a water diviner

You can speed this up by directing all of the spray on the walls for 5 minutes or so

jos28

Sleeper12 wrote: »

You can speed this up by directing all of the spray on the walls for 5 minutes or so

Cheers Sleeper, followed your advice and found the leak. It's not the shower, it's definitely under the immersion cylinder. We had an inspection hatch put into the kitchen(under the shower) so I was able to check that and the walls etc were bone dry while someone was in the shower spraying all the walls. Definitely the tank, pools of water either side of the ancient copper tank.This might hurt my pocket but at least I might be able to get a plumber. Easier to get someone to call to a cylinder replacement than to get someone to chase an elusive leak.

Sleeper12

It'll hit your wallet alright but getting an insulated cylinder will pay for itself within a few years