Damp / Condensation on Party wall

[Ian H]

To see the bubble/window you will need to undo a screw under this black bit and take off the Bluetooth reader:

Then there is a disc in the bubble/window that will show even a very slight leak.

 

[SALL2009]

Thanks John and Ian.

I think I am starting to lean a bit towards the leak theory.

It hasn't rained for over a week now and the soil between the slabs next to the meter seem moist. Generally the soil in the back garden seems moist (although it doesn't get as much sun).



This is the soil in the front of the house and we emptied a radiator in this spot on Wednesday.

 

[foxhole]

During the installation of water meters in my street 6 out of 10 of my neighbours and including me had leaks as a result of poor works. In the hurry to change over, small diameter holes were made around the existing stop cock and all the changes were made by guys laying on the floor working into the hole at arms length .They invariable either failed to tighten the joints or disturbed the old lead resulting in many leaks.A year on and I still see water board digging up other neighbours gardens as they discover their new higher bills are a result of leaks.

 

[JohnD]

if you scratch away at the soil under the meter and dig it out with a spoon, you will be able to see the pipes. It will be interesting to see what they're made of and where they go.

You might even find wet mud.

 

[SALL2009]

Would you call this mud or just moisture? This is the soil next to the pipe on the meter entry (water company side)



There is clear signs of moisture on the plastic suround next to the meter, but not enough to be sure. Maybe see what the water company says.

 

[Ian H]

That’s nothing out of the ordinary.

The pipes will be 25mm MDPE, exit from the bottom of the meter and connect to whatever the original pipe is within a foot of the meter either side.

Any leak would need to be near your damp.

 

[SALL2009]

Thanks Ian. Will look at the meter in the day again.

I have currently got a dehumidifier in the room and the heating on, this seems to be drying the place.

Does the look like too much water for 8 hours?


Then it collected nearly full container in 20 hours.

 

[arkie]

I would say thats normal for the first day, With the house empty i would expect it to take longer to fill as time go's on, but it could 3 days to a week with all the plaster and damp. How many litres is the container?

 

[SALL2009]

It is between 2 to 3 ltrs. The output has dropped a lot now. Was only a quarter full after 24 hours.

The plaster seems to be drying out. Maybe just a waiting game.

 

[SALL2009]

Am I right in thinking that these salt patches are just what the bricks had soaked up?



As it can't be fresh water, the bricks below seem dry.

 

[SALL2009]

if you scratch away at the soil under the meter and dig it out with a spoon, you will be able to see the pipes. It will be interesting to see what they're made of and where they go.

You might even find wet mud.

@JohnD , you were on the money all along. It is a water leak for sure. I have taken multiple reading while not using any water and The digits are moving. Need to speak to the water Co. to see if they will sort it out.