Advice required

hammersuk

Ok situation first then i'll ask my questions.

We live in a top floor flat and as the bathroom doesnt have a window we have a ceiling extracter fan.

About 6 months ago there was a period of heavy rain, and after a few days there was water dripping through the fan. This was followed my the thing burning out and being removed.

I got someone out twice to check on the roof for leaks and got a clean bill of health.

I also got the loft checked and there was no sign of leaking there either.

Got a new extracter fan and all has been fine for about 5 months or so untilk yesterday when i noticed the new fan acting odd (going on and off without the light being on).

On closer inspection there were small drips coming from the fan. Nothing major but enough for me to iscolate it and remove it so it didnt blow up on me.

The fan is connected to a pipe which goes up through the loft and then on through the oof above.


My questions.....

1. Who should i be calling for help, a sparky, plumber or builder? Who could look at the pipe and see what the problem is?


2. I have looked as far up the pipe as i can and cannot see any sign of water so i wonder if it is caused by condensation. Maybe a dehumidifier fan would be better?


3. Is it possible somehow there is water coming in through thge pipe outlet on the roof? Surely everytime it rained it would pour with water but it doesnt?



I am sure it is an easily sorted problem but as we are goiing to be selling the flat soon i dont want to just fit a new fan and find the new owner has a similer problem.

What you thinks the best way forward?

Mikeyorks

Builder. The most likely cause is water incursion at the top of the pipe vent. But possibly only when the weather is in a certain direction ... so it's not a constant problem.

And condensation is really the only other possible cause. If the pipe isn't insulated the steam can turn back to water on it's way through the v cold loft area. And then run back down into the fan. Lagging the pipe might fix it .... a dehumidifier fan (fired up by humidity levels rather than the light switch .. won't change anything).

angelavdavis

Sounds like its water coming in through the extraction vent? It could be just adverse weather conditions (ie, wind blowing rain into the vent) that is the cause.

If there is a leak outside of the actual vent pipe, that is running down the vent pipe but on the outside, it won't be visible in the vent. Water always finds a way of getting in when it wants to. I had a similar issue with an over-hob extractor a couple of weeks ago, where the water was coming out of the screw holes.

I suspect, as in my case, it needs resealing around the vent externally with an external grade silicone, so would suggest you contact a builder. However, it sounds like a tricky one to fix as it will require someone on the roof to seal it.

hammersuk

Hmm looking at the pipe it is bare plastic so may well be that it needs insulating. Defo makes sense that the steam is only going some way up and then coming back down.

As far as the reasealing round teh vent goes i'll get a builder to have a look at that too.

Be worth insulating the pipe as well to make double sure.

cjmarcantonio

hammersuk wrote: »

Ok situation first then i'll ask my questions.

My questions.....

1. Who should i be calling for help, a sparky, plumber or builder? Who could look at the pipe and see what the problem is?


2. I have looked as far up the pipe as i can and cannot see any sign of water so i wonder if it is caused by condensation. Maybe a dehumidifier fan would be better?


What you thinks the best way forward?

Personally, I'd get a repair jobby out. Obviously if it's a plumbing issue thats different. Try company called repaircare (https://www.repaircare.co.uk) they were great to me. I'd give you the number, but I forget???