Ready to hire?

Post your job in minutes, browse real reviews and choose who to speak to.Post a job

Need some tips or advice?

Plumbing

Reaching pipes probably leaking under Victorian tiled hallway

Anonymous user 09/03/2024 - 3.36 PM

Hello, I have a Victorian semi-detached and I suspect there is something leaking under the floor in my hall and under stairs. There is growing discolouration of some tiles by the skirtinf along the interior of the exterior wall and next to a radiator pipe on the parallel interior wall. The hall has original tiles which I am determined to keep in tact. I've had lower levels of exterior wall repointed in lime to stop any water ingress, had CCTV drain inspection, cleared a drain, replaced a leaking downpipe by my front door and installed a gulley. It's leading me to suspect the issue must be a pipe under the floor. Can you tell me what is likely under there, as obviously the Victorians didn't have radiators… How would a plumber get at it without wrecking my tiles? Can I do anything to establish this before ripping stuff out? My research has led me to understand that the tiles are probably on top of mud, but pipes installed later are probably copper set in concrete, with tiles placed back on top. I'd really appreciate advice on what to do next and what sort of specialist. Thank you!

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

4 Answers

Anonymous user

Unfortunately if the pipes are in the cement under you floor tiles then the tiles are going to have to come up as there's no other real way of checking unless you have a void space under the bungalow which is accessible then that might help but I doubt it I'd it is a concrete floor

Answered8 January 2024

Ac plumbing and heating

Rating: 5 out of 5

Kettering

Leak Detection testing could prove if there is a leak under the floor before causing damage. If a leak is present and if you wouldn't want the floor to be removed the once you know what pipe is leaking a reroute may be possible. Knowing what is leaking is the key before causing damage.

Answered10 January 2024

M3 Gas Ltd

Rating: 5 out of 5

Hoddesdon

Both previous suggestions have merit, but to be totally sure that a heating pipe is leaking under the tiles, I would check with a thermo imaging camera with the central heating system and associated radiator on and at full temperature. The camera will image the hot pipework and the area of the pipework where the leak actually is in the pipework; if a leak is present; before remedial works begin.

Answered29 January 2024

Claxton & Palmer

Rating: 5 out of 5

Newton Aycliffe

Get the pipework pressure tested with an inert gas, then with a detector they can pinpoint the exact leak location. This will save digging all over the place thus limiting the damage. Its a specialist leak detector you need to Google, not a plumber or builder.

Answered1 February 2024