Please help!! Don't know what to do about bathroom leak!

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

We noticed a damp patch on the living room ceiling... don't know what to do first!!

I think it's coming from the tap area around the bath. Pulled the panel as far as possible from the bath and it looks like the joints on copper pipes have already had some sealant put on them and bits turned blue. One of large white pipes the 'nut' was loose so i hand tightened that. The plumbing is 15 years old - is this normal?

It's hard to get in to see properly though as the side panel is sealed in at the bottom so I don't know where leak is coming from. I've noticed strange powerful gurgling sounds though ever since we moved in 5 months ago. Is the best thing to buy some sealant from B&Q? Any you'd recommend? The only sealant have in at moment is for guttering. Should we call plumber? We do want a new bathroom suite so should we get plumber to put one in and sort plumbing out at same time?

Any tips on how to tackle the damp patch? Should we let dry and then cover with that Stainaway paint?

Any advice / opinions would be really helpful x

uncle_buck_3

Well the first thing you need to do is to remove the side panel of your bath to gain full access….just like a plumber would need to do….them you stand a fighting chance to establish where exactly the leak is coming from! You have already identified one loose connection there may be more!

As to whether you have a new bathroom suite fitted….well that’s up to you….but I wouldn’t let a leaking pipe dictate that to you if you’re going to be rushed into having the job done!

As for the stain on the ceiling….you need to let it dry out fully….then you will have to paint over it with a stain block paint before you use emulsion.

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

thanks uncle buck!

The side panel seems glued in at the bottom - theres quite a few cracks on it so not worried too much about it getting damaged. I feel a bit calmer at the moment!

a-builder-A1

after you`ve gained access dry thoroughly every pipe including waste trap with loo paper/paper towels, run the bath and empty it, check the joints again. the offending joint will show on the paper towel !
paint the stain slightly larger with oil based undercoat leave to dry and redecorate....good luck!:rolleyes:

BobProperty

Miss_Penny_Pincher wrote:

.....it looks like the joints on copper pipes have already had some sealant put on them and bits turned blue.....

They shouldn't need sealant on them, the blue is either a stain from the leak or a lazy plumber who didn't wipe off the flux when he soldered it. (But that's usually green not blue)

Miss_Penny_Pincher wrote:

One of large white pipes the 'nut' was loose so i hand tightened that. The plumbing is 15 years old - is this normal?

No. And the copper pipework will last forever, it's the connections to the taps that usually leak at the sealing washer on the feeds to the taps. The waste which you have tightend up sometimes come loose over time but it's not common and I'm talking a lot of time. More likely it wasn't done up properly in the first place or there's a reason it works loose, like some flexing or movement somewhere.

Miss_Penny_Pincher wrote:

It's hard to get in to see properly though as the side panel is sealed in at the bottom so I don't know where leak is coming from. .......
Any tips on how to tackle the damp patch? Should we let dry and then cover with that Stainaway paint?.....

If the bath panel is "sealed" / "glued" at the bottom, it sounds like it has been "siliconed" in place. Just cut through the silicone with a knife and the panel should come out.
I would go with the advice already given about letting it all dry out, then use "Stainblock" which is available as a spray or in a can, then overpaint as normal.
If you're totally stuck, I know a plumber/property repair guy in Stockport

elljay20

My dad had this problem years ago when i lived at home. He didn't really do much about it and one sunday we were just dishing up lunch when whoosh a massive hole opened up in the celing and shed loads of water poured out.
I would get a plummer in if your not confident in your own abilities as one.

plumb1_2

BobProperty wrote:

They shouldn't need sealant on them, the blue is either a stain from the leak or a lazy plumber who didn't wipe off the flux when he soldered it. (But that's usually green not blue)

How about Bakersblue flux;) or Bossblue jointing paste;)

BobProperty wrote:

If you're totally stuck, I know a plumber/property repair guy in Stockport

Working in Stockport tomorrow morning Bob, Morrisons Supermarket Bredbury, see you there for a :coffee: pm me.
We can organise the opening date of the Northern branch of MSE Building company:D

Badgergal

I recently tried to fix a leaky shower myself/with help of boyf (there is even a thread somewhere!) My whole flat ended up flooded and is now being redecorated, you want to see the mess... I am now of the opinion that you shouldn't mess with leaky things unless you're confident you know what you're doing.

Anyway, consider getting a plumber please, it might save you so much trouble in the long run...

My bath panel had to be broken off as the water got behind it but we replaced it by cutting a piece of very cheap MDF panelling to size and painting it, it looks just as good as the old one so don't worry about that.

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

Thanks everyone - loads of good advice here that I wouldn't have thought of!!

a-builder-A1 - I would never have thought of that but excellent advice! All appears to be dry now.

elljay20 and badgergal - sorry to hear about your experiences - that is what I was terrified of so wanted to try to tackle it straight away. I really want to try to be more handy. Mr Pincher wishes he was too but to be honest he is even worse than me! Saying a lot, I know haha.

bobproperty - the worn washers is something I will bear in mind - I thought they just caused leaky taps :eek:

Couldn't find any damp on the pipes and the stain hasn't got any larger and is dried out now so I'm hoping it was the loose waste pipe that was the offender...

Plumb1 do you travel as far as Bolton if there is an emergency??

Was planning on decorating living room next so stainstop is first on our list!

bobobrussel

Had a similar problem earlier this year. At first I thought it was the connection between the pipe and the bath tap. Tightened various connectors up many times to no avail. Then noticed one day that wfe had not turned tap off fully. A tiny dribble of water was running back along the tap and seeping between the tap and the bath, then running down the pipe and onto the floor. So no leak after all! So check your taps to see if they are fully turned off.

plumb1_2

Miss_Penny_Pincher wrote:

Plumb1 do you travel as far as Bolton if there is an emergency??

Yep, Bolton only 25mins away from me. Pm me if you want my mobile number.

The area i cover daily/weekly is from Liverpool down to Stoke-on-Trent, and across from Buxton to Bangor(north wales).