Puddle in cupboard under kitchen sink

[KennyPowers]

Water pool forming under kitchen sink, near where cold water pipes are.

Assuming/hoping it is condensation from the warm moist air in kitchen hit the much colder pipework.

Unfortunately not having the heating on, or having the windows left open is not an option with OH (don't ask)

Is this a common problem in the colder months? Would perhaps foam lagging help?

Cheers.

 

[ktuludays]

Are you sure it's not a leak? My money is on it being that and not condensation.

 

[KennyPowers]

 

[KennyPowers]

It looks like maybe a leak. Seems to be water present at the nut joint at top of tap valve (I'm not a plumber so excuse my terminology)

Also dripping at the bottom of the red gasket seal on the tap valve, but this may be from the water coming out the nut?

 

[terryplumb]

Dry it all thoroughly ,then observe to see where water appears ,probably the nut at the top of the stopcock.

 

[just pumps]

Kitchen tissue wrapped around different parts will show up leaks, just remember that water runs dowhill so start high and work way downwards.

 

[KennyPowers]

It does appear to be forming around the nut at the top of the tap valve, so looks like that's the source.

We do have quite high water pressure in our area. Maybe closing the stop cock valve a bit might help? (Fully open at the moment)

I could also try gently tighning the nut a bit as well I guess. (wonder if the colder weather has caused the compression olive inside to contract or something)

 

[Stadan20]

My money is on condensation you can tell as the pipework above ( looks like small individual droplets )
I would be making sure ball valves in loft ( if you have them ) are not letting by .
Also any toilets . / water supplies
Common problem is with these so called water saving devices they tend to slightly let water out when not in use . Check all toilets after a good 10 minutes of operation . Use abit of bog roll and press against the back rim of the pan . If it gets wet than bingo .

 

[KennyPowers]

I originally thought condensation, but after drying with kitchen roll, the water forms again around the top nut pretty quickly.

 

[terryplumb]

It's a weeping joint then. Try tightening ,just a little ,whilst using a second spanner to hold the stopcock from turning.

 

[Burnerman]

Can you support the stopcock with a wrench, grips or whatever and tighten the upper nut with a spanner?
It will hopefully nip up, but you don’t want the stopcock to move at all.
John

 

[KennyPowers]

I can give it a go, but I think I might buy a stop cock key for the valve in street as a backup in case I bugger it up.

No idea what size the one under the flap in pavement outside house is. Does anyone recommend either of these:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/monument-tools-stopcock-key-222mm/17971

https://www.screwfix.com/p/rothenberger-universal-stopcock-key-36/71652

 

[Burnerman]

Its always a good idea to identify and be able to access the outside stopcock, and either of those wrenches should be fine, unless you have a meter.
I use a large spanner to immobilise the stopcock and then nip the nut up.....leaks are most unlikely but thats fine for me to say!
Don’t twist the stopcock against the blue incoming pipe!
John

 

[KennyPowers]

Yep, I'll be careful to make sure that only the top nut turns, and not the whole stop cock.

I take it the blue incoming pipe is the water board's property, and everything else after is mine.

We don't have a water meter, but out if interest if you did, do you need a specialist key to operate the street stop cock or something?

 

[Burnerman]

My own water meter has its own turn button (I think) but I seem to remember the original one needed a hexagon key - but I may well be wrong.
The usual stopcocks respond to the crutch type key as its rectangular in shape.
John