calling all plumbers

[e-rider]

second leak in 18 months!

This time the bath tub drainage pipe broke so the dirty soapy bath water drained straight onto the floor and leaked through the ceiling below into the lounge via the light fitting - luckily the light was off at the time!

I found the broken pipe by removing the bath panel and have fixed it. However:

1. will the ceiling plaster, floor boards etc need replacing or can they just dry out? I estimate about 10 litres of water leaked has leaked.
2. will the wiring for the light need fixing/replacing or can I just switch it back on after a few days once it has dried out?

Anything else I need to know about?

Cheers

 

[fossyant]

I've let our ceiling dry out. Had a couple of leaks recently. Unless there is damage to it, leave it be and re-decorate.

As for the light fitting, I'd leave it to dry, then check the connections for damage in the fitting. Then switch back on if it looks OK. The light would have had a live circuit anway as it's part of the ring main, so I guess it's not that bad as the RCB would have tripped

 

[raleighnut]

Take the bulb out to stop anyone accidentally switching it on. As for drying out an old friend of mine used a "stereo" that had been fished out of the canal and then dried for a month or so, it worked for years.

 

[e-rider]

Take the bulb out to stop anyone accidentally switching it on. As for drying out an old friend of mine used a "stereo" that had been fished out of the canal and then dried for a month or so, it worked for years.

bulb already removed!

 

[Over The Hill]

Let it all dry out for a couple of days for the electric and a couple of weeks for the ceiling. Often it expands a bit and you get a wobbly ceiling. If not then re paint.

If it goes a horrid brown colour then you will need to get a barrier paint to stop the stain going into the paint. Target 3-2-1 or something like that.

 

[slowmotion]

Is it a plasterboard ceiling or a lath and plaster one? If just 10 litres have escaped I think you will be OK with both types. It might be best to leave the bath panel off for a few days. Plasterboard ceilings don't fall down spectacularly. Lath and plaster ones do.

I've managed to destroy two so far.

 

[e-rider]

Is it a plasterboard ceiling or a lath and plaster one? If just 10 litres have escaped I think you will be OK with both types. It might be best to leave the bath panel off for a few days. Plasterboard ceilings don't fall down spectacularly. Lath and plaster ones do.

I've managed to destroy two so far.

plasterboard ceiling. After just 24 hours it is drying nicely. Some water marks remain but they are quite minor - I've think I've been very lucky to avoid any serious damage.

 

[screenman]

Just a thought on this, how would removing the bulb stop somebody from switching the switch. Bit of tape over the switch would be far better.

 

[MikeG]

To dry this out effectively, you must allow good air circulation to both sides of the ceiling. So, get some floorboards up under the bath, or drill some big holes in the floor (an inch or two in diameter, but be careful of what may be running below the floor), and let the air get to it for a week or so. The water stain on the ceiling can be remarkably hard to decorate over. I'm afraid you'll have to repaint your ceiling, probably with at least 2 good coats of quality paint.

If it hasn't fallen down yet, it almost certainly won't, so don't worry about that.