Damp patch- Mission Creep !

[macabethiel]

A couple of weeks ago following some heavy rain noticed a damp patch in our lounge against an outside wall. Found a broken roof tile nearby so replaced it the next day

Last night after some rain touched the damp patch and it felt cold and wet. Drilled a small hole in the ceiling and water then dripped from the hole so fetched a tupperwear container to catch the drips. About half an egg cup full in all.

Investigation pointed me to the bathroom above and to the right of the damp patch. All seemed dry so Wife emptied the eaves so I could get directly above the damp area. I drilled a small hole as close to the bathroom as I could get and when I went into the lounge discovered that the damp patch was directly above the bathroom toilet.

I noticed that when I wiped the damp patch my finger turned green so thoughts changed from rain ingress to a leaking water pipe. Turned the main stop cock off and went to bed.
At About 1.30 am had a lightbulb moment and removed the plastic pipe trunking adjacent to the W/C to reveal an isolation valve for the W/C water supply. Placed some tissue around the isolation valve and it went soggy. Hard to see but with torch found water was dripping from the isolation valve screw itself.

This morning fitted new isolation valve all sorted leak fixed. Went to turn the water back on and now had a drip fron the stop cock in the downstairs W/C. Out to the water meter point on front pavement and turned off water. Removed stop cock body and took tap apart in downstairs W/C. All dipped in limescale remover, tap shaft rubbed with 1000 grit to remove oxidation. New tap washer fitted and gland cleaned.

Tap fitted back in place, water back on - no leaks all good. Wonder how much it would have cost me to have the leak investigated and fixed by a Tradesman?

Should be good for another 12 years hopefully. Have put small oil filled radiator below damp patch to dry it all out before decorating ceiling.

Wife just thinks I find more work on purpose to avoid "Housework" lol.