Something leaking from the roof! Help?

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Batman

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#112934 27-Dec-2012 23:44

Suddenly we had a leak from the roof ...

This is what we found:

1) From a pipe with hot water
2) The pipe goes all the way up the roof to the roof itself
3) The pipe comes from the TOP of the hot water cylinder (i think)

We turned off the valve feeding cold water into the hot water cylinder
The in-laws' cylinder is very old ... not sure what brand
It is a low water pressure kind (no jet shower in their place)
... if that helps ....

Will that stop the problem (I can't see a hot water outlet valve to turn off!)?

What the hell is the pipe that goes to the roof itself? Can't be the vent? If it's the vent why the hell is it leaking right at the roof itself?

THanks for any hints ...

I know we have to call a plumber tomorrow but just curious ...

Edit: image

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#737901 27-Dec-2012 23:52

they crack where they flex going thru the roof since they are usually unsupported and flap around in the wind. its the overflow to allow for expansion so the waterlevel nomally sits just below the very top of the pipe when cold and will overflow with expansion

Richard rich.ms

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Batman

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#737904 28-Dec-2012 00:06

possible to DIY fix if it's only the vent?

timmmay

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#737928 28-Dec-2012 07:58

Now I don't know much about this stuff and I could be completely wrong, but I thought the pipe's for boil-over, if something goes wrong hot water goes out it. Fix it by turning off the hot water until the plumber gets there, and they may need a new cylinder.

gregmcc

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#737940 28-Dec-2012 08:29

could be a couple of things

1) thermostat is stuck on causing the water to boil over
2) ajax valve needs adjustment or is faulty causing it to add more water to the cylinder when it doesn't causing it to overflow.

Judging by the age possibly the ajax valve, keep in mind hot water cylinders that are that old tend to be near the end of their useful life and may suffer extra damage when worked on, so be prepared for the extra expense of a new cylinder

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#737943 28-Dec-2012 08:31

ah makes sense :)

plumber on the way ...

thanks for the e-pinions

we are all glad it happened before we went away (in a few days' time) phew

B1GGLZ

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#737992 28-Dec-2012 11:16

joker97: ah makes sense :)

plumber on the way ...

thanks for the e-pinions

we are all glad it happened before we went away (in a few days' time) phew

It will be the vent pipe which is usually filled to the top as that's where you get your hot water pressure from. The higher the pipe the higher the pressure. More modern installations may have a pressure relief valve on the end to achieve max pressure from the tank.
Don't forget to claim on your insurance if the bill is greater than your excess. It's probably damage caused by recent high winds flexing the pipe. May be other damage you haven't found yet.

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#740108 4-Jan-2013 11:51

You can install a pressure booster pump on the cylinder outlet and then adjust the ajax (inlet pressure limiting) valve for lower "head" (height of water pressure). This way you have less water sitting in the pipe above the roof but the pump will boost the pressure when you open a tap.

Note it is normal for the pipe to overflow a little bit as the cylinder gets to temperature and water expands, but not all the time.

Some people when these things start failing they would upgrade to mains pressure but the low pressure parts are cheap where as a high pressure upgrade is a high cost and you will suddenly find leaks at many of your fittings fittings.

I guess the plumber was there already, but I do suggest if the cylinder is getting old then replace it. Not worth the water flooding your home. We've had that once, fortunately only a few boxed got wet as we did not have carpet and the old deformed timber boards channelled the water towards the bathroom. Or add a drain hole next to your cylinder. If it good to look at these things now that your attention is on it.

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timmmay

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#743641 12-Jan-2013 09:07

We just upgraded to mains pressure from an old low pressure system. We also moved the cylinder from a cupboard in the bathroom into the ceiling. There were no problems with the old fittings in the kitchen and laundry, and we have all new fittings in the bathroom. The shower's MUCH better, everything better, even the laundry finishes more quickly.

Under the cylinder up in the roof there's a big plastic tray that's plumbed into some kind of a waste tube. Any leaks will just drain away, and I'll take a look occasionally to make sure there's no water in there.

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#743688 12-Jan-2013 10:17

How much did all that cost? Cheers

Niel

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#743740 12-Jan-2013 12:43

Timmmay, that is the standard install in South Africa. Good to see it happening more often here as there are a number of advantages. The drain will catch small leaks. Just don't let it leak for too long as it will leak faster and flood the ceiling. In South Africa the drain goes into the rainwater spouting so you do not notice when it starts leaking.

You can never have enough Volvos!

timmmay

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#743777 12-Jan-2013 14:46

joker97: How much did all that cost? Cheers

Who are you asking?

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#743840 12-Jan-2013 19:16

timmmay:
joker97: How much did all that cost? Cheers

Who are you asking?

You. Thanks :)

timmmay

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#743843 12-Jan-2013 19:20

I don't know what just the plumbing work cost. I spent $40K on a new bathroom. Upgrading to mains pressure cylinder is the cylinder cost, half a day for a plumber, depending if anything else needs to be done. $5K perhaps? You'd have to ask a plumber.

We had a pressure reducing thing put in, we had 1000 of some unit at the street, reduced to 500 so as not to blow out the tapware. All the old stuff was fine.

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#743845 12-Jan-2013 19:30

$%#@ ok i'm not going to buy and renovate! will try to buy renovated!

timmmay

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#743849 12-Jan-2013 20:00

You could do it for a lot less, but we went high end. No gold, but tiles, good heating, great shower, good lighting, replumb, rewire, under floor heating, mirrors, complete re line of the room, custom made cupboards, etc.

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