Removing Wood Panelling to ID leak - Help Please

[g3org3y]

Hi all,

First problem in the new house, there appears to be a leak as it's causing a damp patch in the WC below the bathroom (the damp patch is getting mouldy!).

Appears to be intermittent, a drip sound typically on using the shower and the sink in the bathroom.

The drip sound typically starts once the shower is turned on, lasts for 30 secs and then stops. I don't see any gaps in the silicon sealant/shower tray. My wife thinks she has already heard it when the sink in the bathroom above the 'problem' bathroom has been used as well.

The sounds is heard loudest/clearest behind the wood panelling to the left of the toilet as below:



I want to remove this in order to have a look behind and ID the source of the leak.

Any tips on how to go about removing this with minimal damage? Prise it off with a (flat head) screwdriver and accept inevitable damage?

Some more pics of the panelling here:







Other side of the toilet:


Any advice appreciated, TIA

[Deebeezee]

I would remove the loo as that should come out without too much difficulty. This will allow you to look behind/along the panelling to see what's happening before ripping out if necessary.

You will also be able to see how the cladding was constructed more easily for when/if you have to remove.

Take lots of pics and post back.

[Blakeatron]

The t&g is flat panels of mdf with the grooves routed in and so I in panels rather than strips.

The lid section to the left of the loo will easily be prised off - large flat chisel knocked into the join, should give you enough to have a feel about

[Alucidnation]

If you aren't careful you will easily damage the mdf if you try to remove it.

As suggested, moving the loo out of the way is going to be less damaging.

[TooMany2cvs]

Blakeatron said:

The lid section to the left of the loo will easily be prised off - large flat chisel knocked into the join, should give you enough to have a feel about

Yep, I'd start there, too - nice easy joint to go at, and if you end up replacing the lid, it won't grate if you simply use a flat panel.

[g3org3y]

No such thing as easy.

Despite best efforts, was not able to prize off the top MDF layer without destruction.

Managed to access the 4 screws.

The board is loose and moves but seems to be stuck on the wall (back and left) edge. It seems they put in 'sealant' around the edge.

I'll persevere to try and get it out but it seems this will all be a ball ache.

[Alucidnation]

Oh dear.

[g3org3y]

Thought it'd be a good idea to have a look underneath. Hmmm, not such good news. Looks like even accessing the (now butchered) panel, won't really help here. The vertical panel on the left of the horizontal panel goes all the way to the floor. I think this might require the actual wall panels to come off for proper investigation.

[Alucidnation]

That looks bone dry so i don't think there is much point doing any more damage.

[g3org3y]

Alucidnation said:

That looks bone dry so i don't think there is much point doing any more damage.

Quite agree!

[Chester draws]

Presumably in behind that boxed in corner is the vertical soil stack. And the shower / sink waste pipe runs under the floor into it?

And also the upstairs bathroom feeds into the same stack?

Would one of those endoscope type cameras you can plug into a mobile let you see a bit more? Otherwise there's going to need to be more dismantling needed.

[Eddieslofart]

George, if you want me to run up Sunday to give you a hand, just shout. I do believe i have a couple of those panels around that i can bring, just let me know.

And next time, get your mates round first !

[Andehh]

Drill through wall above it and use a boroscope to have a look down/around? Move the toilet and cut N access panel behind the cistern to have a look around?

[Alucidnation]

Edited as i will probably be reported for 'trolling' again.




Anyway, keep us updated OP.

Edited by Alucidnation on Wednesday 20th September 22:15

[dxg]

Does it get worse when it rains?

Could be the flashing to the SVP at the roof, water running down the outside of the pipe and appearing in the bathroom below the one you're hacking about (if I understand your description correctly...)

[g3org3y]

Chester draws said:

Presumably in behind that boxed in corner is the vertical soil stack. And the shower / sink waste pipe runs under the floor into it?

And also the upstairs bathroom feeds into the same stack?

Would one of those endoscope type cameras you can plug into a mobile let you see a bit more? Otherwise there's going to need to be more dismantling needed.

Good idea re endoscope. Gave it a go unfortunately not much space to manoeuvre and unlike the previous endoscopes I've used (to look up noses!) no control.







Not so successful. Tried to feed it through as best as possible (but under the stack and also the other way approx above where it is damp) but not really managed to see anything helpful. I'll try again tomorrow.

Eddieslofart said:

George, if you want me to run up Sunday to give you a hand, just shout. I do believe i have a couple of those panels around that i can bring, just let me know.

And next time, get your mates round first !

That would have been great Eddie, however Sunday is my birthday so to add to the misery my wife has decided I must be social so she has invited her sister and my sister (and her bf) to out for lunch/dinner. I'll send you an email.

dxg said:

Does it get worse when it rains?

Could be the flashing to the SVP at the roof, water running down the outside of the pipe and appearing in the bathroom below the one you're hacking about (if I understand your description correctly...)

I've not noticed a relationship to rain.

As mentioned, the 'drip' is heard behind the wooden panelling and this is typically in the first 30 seconds of activating the shower. I'll be extra careful to monitor whether the drip is heard with any of the other sinks being used.

I'll get a photo of the damp patch. It is getting mouldy.