Leak from big pipe in house - UPDATE on Page 4

[terryplumb]

now I have got the full picture !! the part marked blue looks like an access panel ,held on with 2 screws, and the seal has failed. still think its communal problem. if there was a blockage in the drain where this vertical soil pipe joins, at ground floor and you could not use your toilets ,do you think that would be your ground floor neighbours problem because they are nearer the floor and they should pay ? just curious. is the roof exclusively your problem as you are nearest ?

 

[redrabbit]

now I have got the full picture !! the part marked blue looks like an access panel ,held on with 2 screws, and the seal has failed. still think its communal problem. if there was a blockage in the drain where this vertical soil pipe joins, at ground floor and you could not use your toilets ,do you think that would be your ground floor neighbours problem because they are nearer the floor and they should pay ? just curious. is the roof exclusively your problem as you are nearest ?

Thanks Terry.

So if you think it's a communal issue, what's your thought on the repair work for the damaged paint/wall in downstairs flat?

Do you think I should call out a plumber for this seal issue? I'm not very confident about trying to fix it myself so maybe it's safer just to get someone out

 

[terryplumb]

same thing ,damage caused by communal problem is part of the same issue. usually on shared buildings there are covenants /provisions etc between freeholders /lease holders etc etc with in deeds covering such things. if you are not comfortable trying to trace and stop the leak then by all means call in a pro.

 

[Elastomeric]

It needs a gasket on the inspection plate, 5 minutes work. Make sure upstairs is not having a dump when its fixed.

Could also be a combination stack taking rainwater also.

 

[redrabbit]

It needs a gasket on the inspection plate, 5 minutes work. Make sure upstairs is not having a dump when its fixed.

Could also be a combination stack taking rainwater also.

Where can I get a gasket from - I'm guessing screwfix or any plumbing shop and I'm hoping the sizes are all quite standard? Probably quite common and easy to get?



UPDATE

I had a plumber out to do a free check and he confirmed it is the bottom of the inspection plate (quite obvious really but nice to have an expert's view). He said he could probably get a replacement inspection plate but to leave it with him. It's been about 4 days and not heard anything.

I'd like to do it myself really. Doing google searches for "Cast Iron inspection plate for waste pipe" gets basically no results. Plus it's also a case of getting the right size too.

I'm half tempted to just put that putty around the bottom part to seal it up.

 

[AGAS]

I'm half tempted to just put that putty around the bottom part to seal it up.

hope its not the putty that goes hard

if not try it and crack on

 

[Ian H]

You would need to open it, put some sealer in then bolt it back up before the sealer cures.

You probably won't find a like for like replacement because it's so old. You could always use the old one as a template to make a new one.

 

[AGAS]

You would need to open it, put some sealer in then bolt it back up before the sealer cures.

You probably won't find a like for like replacement because it's so old. You could always use the old one as a template to make a new one.

What sort of sealant was you thinking?

 

[Ian H]

Something like Milliput.

 

[AGAS]

Something like Milliput.

Are u sure about that

 

[Ian H]

No but that's what I was thinking.

 

[redrabbit]

UPDATE

Plumber never got back to me - as is so common with tradesman that seem to visit, say they can do the job but then vanish off the face of the earth. Anyway, I went to my local independent plumbing shop and asked the man there for some advice.

He said that he would use Quiksteel as it's very hard to get replacement cast iron inspection plates which are the right shape:

So I'm going to try that, it's only a small area of the inspection plate that is leaking.

 

[Ian H]

It will be the seal/gasket that's leaking, not the actual cast iron.

 

[redrabbit]

It will be the seal/gasket that's leaking, not the actual cast iron.

Isn't the same issue going to be finding a seal or gasket of the right shape and size?

I don't want to remove the inspection plate myself as it may just make things worse

 

[Agile]

Just putting sticky stuff on the outside is less likely to stick on and be water tight for long.

Why not test the bolts and see if they will undo?

It is quite easy to cut out new gasket material. Even to use some rubbery flooring sheets.