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Powerwashing caused leak upstairs?

  • 11-05-2020 4:08pm
    #1
    Hammer89
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭


    Hi lads,

    I was powerwashing somebody's patio today and it turned into a nightmare. The bathroom upstairs flooded because water started bursting out of the bathroom ceiling, which has a hole in it. It isn't my house but it's a purposeful hole, with a tiny bit of hose sticking out, as if it was put there on purpose.

    I'm no plumber but it sounds like the pressure from the tap downstairs might've backed up and caused the leak upstairs? It makes no sense whatsoever, but if anyone has a solution that an amateur could fix it'd be greatly appreciate. I realise it might be a job for an actual plumber.


Comments

  • #2
    10-10-20
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,062 ✭✭✭10-10-20


    I'm completely guessing here, but that sounds like a situation where water-hammer from the on-off action of the power-hose may have dislodged a pipe in the attic. A very unusual occurance, but not your problem, nevertheless.
    I'd be advising the homeowner to get a plumber to look at it and not attempting any investigation or repair yourself (as it may imply fault with your actions).


  • #3
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    Your post makes no sense. You need to be clearer. What exactly leaked?


  • #4
    Hammer89
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭Hammer89


    I said it makes no sense. I was powerwashing the patio, using the tap from the kitchen on the ground floor as the water supply, but the bathroom upstairs flooded. Water was spouting out of a man-made hole in the bathroom ceiling, presumably stemming from the attic.


  • #5
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    Hammer89 wrote: »
    I said it makes no sense. I was powerwashing the patio, using the tap from the kitchen on the ground floor as the water supply, but the bathroom upstairs flooded. Water was spouting out of a man-made hole in the bathroom ceiling, presumably stemming from the attic.

    Ok gotcha. I’m gonna take a guess here and suggest you attached the power washer to a mixer tap?


  • #6
    Hammer89
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,003 ✭✭✭Hammer89


    Is a mixer tap the kind where there's no separate hot or cold knobs? If so, yep spot-on.


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  • #7
    Dtp1979
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,870 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    Hammer89 wrote: »
    Is a mixer tap the kind where there's no separate hot or cold knobs? If so, yep spot-on.

    Yea that’s it. You had the tap turned on. You prob had both hot and cold activated so both mixed together. The higher pressure from the mains actually travelled back up through the hot pipe and started filling the attic tank. I’d say there was no overflow on the attic tank so it over spilled and caused your issue. Mystery solved.


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