Where a drain leak usually is
Waste pipe leaks often occur at connection points. Inside the house these are traps, waste bends, toilet connections and the connection between a shower channel and the waste pipe. In the soil stack it is mainly the joints and the connections of branch pipes. In older homes a cast iron soil stack can also deteriorate from the inside. A shower channel whose connection under the tiled floor has not been properly sealed is another well-known source of damp in the ceiling below.
- Trap under a basin or sink: a loose nut or worn washer
- Toilet connection: a displaced pan connector behind the toilet
- Shower and bath: sealant joints, shower drain or waste connection
- Soil stack: a leaking joint or branch connection
- Drains under the floor: a crack or loose joint in the crawl space
Non-invasive leak detection: the techniques
Bosmans uses several leak detection techniques that complement each other. The moisture meter shows where the damp is and how it spreads. The CCTV camera makes the inside of waste pipes visible. A pressure test establishes whether a water pipe is leaking and which section is involved. By running water into drain points one at a time and measuring again in between, it becomes clear which point is causing the leak. Step by step, a clear picture emerges.
By combining these techniques, the engineer can usually pinpoint the source to within a short distance. That means you do not need to open up a whole bathroom or kitchen, just one tile, a skirting board or a small opening. That saves on restoration work and keeps your home tidy. After the repair it is tested again, so you know for certain the leak has been fixed.
What you can do yourself with a leak
With a leaking water pipe, turn off the main stopcock and note the reading on the water meter. With a leak from a drain, it helps to stop using that drain point until the engineer arrives. Take photos of damp patches and any damage, as that is useful for your insurer. If needed, put a container under a dripping ceiling and move anything that could get wet.
Do you live in an apartment and is the water coming from above? Then let your upstairs neighbours and the owners' association know too. Often the source is in a neighbouring home or in a shared soil stack. In consultation with the owners' association, Bosmans can survey the soil stack and its connections, so it quickly becomes clear where the repair needs to happen. That saves residents from each searching separately. Landlords can also turn to Bosmans for this.