Bizarre leak... totally confused
Discussion
For the past few days when I have come downstairs there appears to be a wet patch on the living room carpet as you walk into the kitchen. The kitchen also has a few puddles of water in it.
The thing is after it has been cleaned up, it doesn't reappear until the following morning. I have checked the washing machines, dishwasher fridge and none of them are leaking any water. Even coming in at 3am last night there was absolutely no water anywhere to be seen, yet by 8am it had happened aagin.
What on earth is likely to be going on between 3am - 8am every night ?!? The water is clean, no odour and the downstairs floors are ashphalt.
I'm probably missing something obvious here, but usually if something is leaking wouldn't it just leak all day ?
The thing is after it has been cleaned up, it doesn't reappear until the following morning. I have checked the washing machines, dishwasher fridge and none of them are leaking any water. Even coming in at 3am last night there was absolutely no water anywhere to be seen, yet by 8am it had happened aagin.
What on earth is likely to be going on between 3am - 8am every night ?!? The water is clean, no odour and the downstairs floors are ashphalt.
I'm probably missing something obvious here, but usually if something is leaking wouldn't it just leak all day ?
Well it is either coming up, down or sideways. So best start checking.
Down is most likely if it is a puddle in the middle of the floor.
Is your boiler on, or using the immersion? Any puddles under light fittings? Do you have a shower or bath before checking in the morning and is there a bathroom or drain above the kitchen?
How big are the puddles?
BTW ashphalt floors? Really? Or do you mean concrete?
Down is most likely if it is a puddle in the middle of the floor.
Is your boiler on, or using the immersion? Any puddles under light fittings? Do you have a shower or bath before checking in the morning and is there a bathroom or drain above the kitchen?
How big are the puddles?
BTW ashphalt floors? Really? Or do you mean concrete?
Well, I just mean the black flooring when you take the carpet/underlay back. It's certainly concrete underneath with a black finish. I assumed that was an ashphalt finish, but maybe I'm wrong.
The leak seems to be a series of puddles of water throughout the kitchen, although as it is tiles it tends to run down the grout so its entirely possible that where the water is gatehring isn't necessarily the location of the leak. There is no obvious leaks from above, although the bathroom is directly above which is the obvious candidate.
In terms of what happens around this time, the only that happened this morning was that the hot water came on at it's usual time (6:30am) although if I manually turn on the hot water everything is fine.
I think the plan will be to turn off the boiler completely tonight and see if it eliminates it.
Any other suggestions more than welcome...
Oh, and we do have a cat, but the sheer volume and lack of odour definitely eliminates it as the source!
The leak seems to be a series of puddles of water throughout the kitchen, although as it is tiles it tends to run down the grout so its entirely possible that where the water is gatehring isn't necessarily the location of the leak. There is no obvious leaks from above, although the bathroom is directly above which is the obvious candidate.
In terms of what happens around this time, the only that happened this morning was that the hot water came on at it's usual time (6:30am) although if I manually turn on the hot water everything is fine.
I think the plan will be to turn off the boiler completely tonight and see if it eliminates it.
Any other suggestions more than welcome...
Oh, and we do have a cat, but the sheer volume and lack of odour definitely eliminates it as the source!
sagt550 said:
Oh, and we do have a cat, but the sheer volume and lack of odour definitely eliminates it as the source!
Well, that's what we thought when we found mysterious puddles appearing around the house.Turned out our cat had developed diabetes - was drinking lots more than usual and leaving puddles around the house which looked and smelt just like water (didn't try the taste test though...)
So I thought I'd mention it just in case as it's not always easy to spot in time and it can quickly develop into something very serious.
Otherwise, maybe it's the ghost of a plumber who's buried under your floor.
If it was me, I'd set up a video camera and leave it running overnight to see where it's coming from.
Right, so... Turned off the boiler etc last night and around a similar time this morning there was still a puddle in the middle of the floor (albeit significantly smaller) which appeared to have come from the direction of the fridge/freezer and/or the washing machine. I'm thinking the former as the washing machine is completely turned off.
In terms of checking the fridge/freezer what's the obvious things to look for. i.e. someone mentioned a drain hole. Where is this located etc ?
In terms of checking the fridge/freezer what's the obvious things to look for. i.e. someone mentioned a drain hole. Where is this located etc ?
sagt550 said:
In terms of checking the fridge/freezer what's the obvious things to look for. i.e. someone mentioned a drain hole. Where is this located etc ?
A freezer usually has it at the front (behind the door) so that when you defrost it the water can be collected in a bowl.Fridges used to be made with a drain at the back running into a small tube which would be collected in a tray near the condenser, the heat of which would allow it to evaporate. Modern fridges are probably made so there's little chance of condensation building up, so there may not be any sort of drain on yours.
OK - It's not the fridge component I've found the drain and its fine. Water runs down the back into a plastic tray that holds it without any leaks. Guess it must be the freezer ?!?
The volume of water seemed quite large the other morning though... hmmm...
It's gotta be this though as there is simply no evidence of the central heating leaking through the ceiling/walls etc.
The volume of water seemed quite large the other morning though... hmmm...
It's gotta be this though as there is simply no evidence of the central heating leaking through the ceiling/walls etc.
Defo poltergeist. Or leaky radiators maybe? Poltergeist is a good call I think... Unfortunately I have no decent video equipment but surely the poltergeist would know if I did and interfere with it accordingly.
Anyway, had a crawl around int he loft tonight and found an overflow pipe that should be sticking out of the house that isn't (suitcase on top of it!), is directly above the kitchen and full of water. It is now back where it should be. So it's either a fault with the tank and the overflow is somehow managing to run water internally into the kitchen without damageing any walls/ceilings etc, or the fridge is knackered.
Should know by tomorrow. Stuck a load of towels around the fridge, so I'm hoping there will either be soggy towels in the morning or a puddle outside the house.
Anyway, had a crawl around int he loft tonight and found an overflow pipe that should be sticking out of the house that isn't (suitcase on top of it!), is directly above the kitchen and full of water. It is now back where it should be. So it's either a fault with the tank and the overflow is somehow managing to run water internally into the kitchen without damageing any walls/ceilings etc, or the fridge is knackered.
Should know by tomorrow. Stuck a load of towels around the fridge, so I'm hoping there will either be soggy towels in the morning or a puddle outside the house.
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