Soggy loft joists

[Hengist]

Hi all,

I have just found that my c/h header tank has been leaking for some time(due to a sagging overflow pipe - plastic unsupported for about 10 feet...) and the joint strain has distorted the tank, and the ball-cock also has been dripping and wouldn't close properly,,,

The timber underneath and around the tank is very wet - is there a mould or rot risk if I don't dry it out quickly, and has anyone got ideas for drying it out? I am a bit reluctant to leave a fan-heater up there unattended.

Would this be an area where I can claim on the building insurance? Never claimed a penny and we've been here 30 years... maybe it's time to get something back??? C/h pump packed up on Xmas day, too - it'll be good to see the back of 2005!

 

[breezer]

ask your insurance comapny not us, we dont insure you, but as insurance companies love to get out of things i bet they will blame you for not maintaining it properly / having maintenance

 

[masona]

Would this be an area where I can claim on the building insurance? Never claimed a penny and we've been here 30 years... maybe it's time to get something back???

You stand a good chance of a claim specially as it's your first claim!

 

[Thermo]

once the leaks are stopped it should dry out fairly quickly under the natural ventilation you have in your loft. Once its dry check it with the blade of a screwdriver to see if it has gone soft and if so how much is affected, although fairly unlikley

 

[JohnD]

you said the timber underneath the tank - do you mean it was standing on a piece of board, or is it balanced on the joists?

If on a bit of board, put a new piece up there anyway, fairly small job (my plastic tanks are on platforms of flooring chipboard falls apart if wet, ugh!)

And what Thermo said, about the timbers. Has it just been leaking in this cold spell, or was it wet in the summer too?

Natural ventiation, nice and cold, won't encourage rot and insects like a moist and warm environment would.

 

[Hengist]

Thanks for your responses, Guys, it is good to know there are some helpful folks about!

The tank is sitting on the joists as far as I can see, and I suspect it may have been leaking for some time. It was only when my son reported a drip in his bedroom built-in cupboard - yes, I know... which is directly under the tanks, that I found the problem - a week or two ago.

Have drained several litres of water out, and tied the ball-cock up firmly and no more dripping. I have a new ball-valve to install now.

As for the droopy overflow pipe, I have made a cradle from 2 lengths of batten (in a V-shape) to suspend from the rafters to support the pipe, but the curve in the cold plastic is reluctant to lie down, so I have put cable ties around it - so far, so good.

What is the correct way to support an 8 - 10ft pipe like this overflow, please? The outer end is pushed between 2 roof-tiles - a cowboy job or legit?

TIA,

 

[masona]

What is the correct way to support an 8 - 10ft pipe like this overflow, please? The outer end is pushed between 2 roof-tiles - a cowboy job or legit?

Ideally the overflow pipe should go through the fascia board or just under the soffit. The roof tiles should not be lifted for any reason. There're many way of supporting the overflow pipe whatever way you fancy of doing it. It might be easier to put in a new overflow pipe in again as the old one will not settle to the correct position. I have done mine with 2 x 135 degree angle from the tank straight to the ceiling joist approximately 100mm above and straight out to the outside and support it on each ceiling joists with brackets and doesn't get in the way!