Bathroom Leak - what to do?

Maffy52

knightstyle said:

DD had similar and it was the pipe that goes from the cistern into the toilet pan had come out slightly from the pan. I pushed it back firmly and she now checks it occasionally damp soon went.

thanks, could be this, as the shower hasn't been used. I am thinking must be the toilet or the sink. 
The pain with modern houses is every thing is inaccesible. The toilet is all 'boxed in' (see photo). Can I just pull of this wood panel at the side covering the pipes behind the toilet?

Maffy52

Boohoo said:

You can claim on your insurance but the excess will be hundreds of pounds due to escape of water.

They may pay out if it's a leak that just happened but not if due to something that's been going on for a while.

The plywood is so the tiles can be layed on a glue surface. Other people will correct me with the correct terminology.

Thanks. Now I think a bit more clearly, I am not really sure when it happened. I kind of assumed it happened just before I noticed it, but thinking now it may have been a day or two earlier. I have ripped off some of the plywood around the wettest parts, hopefully the board underneath will have a chance to dry and won't need replacing.

Maffy52

Swipe said:

Find the source of the leak and fix it. Forget insurance. A tin of stain blocker and a fresh coat of paint and it will be like new again. 

Thanks. Now I am thinking more clearly and trying to work out where the water has come from. For the surface of the floor to be so wet and for the tiles to peel off easily (because wet underneath), I am thinking the water has leaked onto the surface of the floor. If a pipe below the floor had leaked the floor wouldn't be too wet and the ceiling below would be much wetter. But, can't seem to figure out where it came from. 

plumb1_2

I’d remove the timber/ plywood pieces at the side of the wc, and check for leaks 
most probably the pan connector, or from connecting bolts. Put some kitchen roll underneath and flush the wc, plus check it’s not leaking from where the cistern bolts onto the pan.

personally I wouldn’t call the insurance company, due to excess, plus you might get charged as they might class it a ware and tire? And if they say you’re not covered for repairs, you call will be logged onto their system.
But they should pay for and damage, re paint ceiling and relay the flooring.

WIAWSNB

Ah, good point, Maffy - if the actual top floor surface is wet, then the leak must almost certainly be coming from 'above'. 

So, that suggests either the inlet supply to the (hidden) cistern, or else the 'waste' outlet from that (hidden) cistern!

And, yes, to check this will require the 'box' to be opened. This might seem daunting, but is actually ok - just rip it open, and then it can be refitted and tidied up afterwards. He says.

Good news that the stain feels dry. That suggest it isn't a 'constant' leak, but intermittent. Ie, it's more likely the 'waste' outlet than the inlet supply. Of course, that also suggest it'll be pooey water...

Q - do you have another loo to use? Cool - use it. 

Next, take some good pics of the 'boxing-in', and we'll try and guide how to open it up. 

If you cannot sort this yourself, your options will likely be to call on your insurance - excess+likely increased premiums - or to call on a recommended plumber - most likely cheaper. And, if they are good, you keep them on speed-dial

plumb1_2

WIAWSNB said:

This might seem daunting, but is actually ok - just rip it open, 

I would use a Stanley type blade and cut the sealant off, then gently pull the board off.

Maffy52

WIAWSNB said:

Ah, good point, Maffy - if the actual top floor surface is wet, then the leak must almost certainly be coming from 'above'. 

So, that suggests either the inlet supply to the (hidden) cistern, or else the 'waste' outlet from that (hidden) cistern!

And, yes, to check this will require the 'box' to be opened. This might seem daunting, but is actually ok - just rip it open, and then it can be refitted and tidied up afterwards. He says.

Good news that the stain feels dry. That suggest it isn't a 'constant' leak, but intermittent. Ie, it's more likely the 'waste' outlet than the inlet supply. Of course, that also suggest it'll be pooey water...

Q - do you have another loo to use? Cool - use it. 

Next, take some good pics of the 'boxing-in', and we'll try and guide how to open it up. 

If you cannot sort this yourself, your options will likely be to call on your insurance - excess+likely increased premiums - or to call on a recommended plumber - most likely cheaper. And, if they are good, you keep them on speed-dial

thanks again, I think you are right, the insurance route is not worth it.

Maffy52

plumb1_2 said:

WIAWSNB said:

This might seem daunting, but is actually ok - just rip it open, 

I would use a Stanley type blade and cut the sealant off, then gently pull the board off.

thanks. Have just taken off the board. There is a drip from the inlet into the cistern, must be the source of the leak. It seems like nothing but the container I put underneath had 100 ml of water in about an hour, so must be this, see photo! Maybe this drip has been going on for a while, but I just never noticed before!

How would I go about 'tightening this connection up, I can't see how to get a spanner or wrench in the space (do I somehow lift up the cistern?)

Maffy52

otb666 said:

we had a slow leak from kitchen tap and eventually leaked enough to go under tiled kitchen floor to wood lounge floor this was over at least 5 years. The insurance paid for a new lounge floor and under sink cabinet  about £1500 from memory and we got dyno to fit new kitchen tap.

Thanks, I am beginning to think this may have been going on for some time  (months, maybe years!) as the floor tiles have been 'loose' for ages, but I assumed it was maybe people coming out of the shower and dripping on the floor, didn't consider a leak. Perhaps I should drill a hole into the ceiling from below and see if I can get an idea of whether this is a 'hidden' longterm problem

JohnB47

Maffy52 said:

plumb1_2 said:

WIAWSNB said:

This might seem daunting, but is actually ok - just rip it open, 

I would use a Stanley type blade and cut the sealant off, then gently pull the board off.

thanks. Have just taken off the board. There is a drip from the inlet into the cistern, must be the source of the leak. It seems like nothing but the container I put underneath had 100 ml of water in about an hour, so must be this, see photo! Maybe this drip has been going on for a while, but I just never noticed before!

How would I go about 'tightening this connection up, I can't see how to get a spanner or wrench in the space (do I somehow lift up the cistern?)

I'm just a DIY'er but I would first turn off the water, then undo that smaller silver nut which will release the flexible water hose. Then you could try tightening that larger hex nut with a box spanner, then replace the flexible hose.

Obviously you'd have to have estimated the box spanner size first and buy one unless you already have a set.

If tightening it doesn't solve the drip, I'd suggest you drain the loo cistern and completely undo that large nut and either fit/replace a washer or apply some sealant and reassemble. Or maybe there would be a washer in the inside of the cistern? Perhaps completely undoing that larger nut and lifting the assembly up inside the cistern to investigated would be a plan?

Place a container under the cistern to catch any water that comes from undoing connections.