Plumbing & Electrical Help Needed

Raven_k42 · 12-01-2016 08:35PM #1

Evening all

I have a double problem and looking for suggestions as to the best way to resolve.

First of all...had a problem with our immersion recently. Water was scalding hot. Suspecting a thermostat problem. I did contact a local plumber while turning down the timer on the immersion. Plumber never contacted me...and while the scalding prob went...water only gets warm. Didn't chase the plumber.

This morning some of the double sockets in the kitchen stopped working. Not all...but from a particular point (think of a socket "chain" if that makes sense). This afternoon our upstairs lights stopped working. Sockets are fine upstairs. ALL MCBs look OK and nothing tripped. I can't be sure if the failed sockets are on a single MCB circuit...but I think the failed upstairs lights are.

This evening I checked the immersion...luke warm even though on full time...and there's water in the hot press (on the landing). Not gushing...but significant damp patch. This has to be more than a coincidence. Could water have screwed-up certain circuits...without tripping MCBs ??.

Anyway...do I need a plumber first...or should I look for a combined property services co in Dublin 7-ish. Might be cheaper in the long run. Sorry for going on...but I'm not sure where to start.

Thanks...and any suggestions welcome.
K

PeterTheEighth · 12-01-2016 09:08PM

Raven_k42 wrote: »

This evening I checked the immersion...luke warm even though on full time...and there's water in the hot press (on the landing). Not gushing...but significant damp patch. This has to be more than a coincidence. Could water have screwed-up certain circuits...without tripping MCBs ??

I wonder was there any physical damage. Maybe the wires were cut?
Have you any idea of which MCB the sockets were on and if other outlets on that same MCB are working?
Is there any writing beside the MCBs to say "downstairs lights" or "sockets" or anything like that?

tedimc · 12-01-2016 09:27PM

I would get your leak sorted first, you may find that the electrical problems would go away, but I would still get everything checked to be safe.

Is the failed socket underneath the hotpress/damp spot by any chance? I've seen a leak in a house before run down the conduit to a light switch and pour out the bottom of the box, without a sign of water anywhere else. I would have expected something tripping in your fuseboard though, unless the house has been renovated since originally being wired??

Has your electrical bill not gone up a lot with the immersion on constantly?

Sleeper12 · 12-01-2016 09:37PM

tedimc wrote:

I would get your leak sorted first, you may find that the electrical problems would go away, but I would still get everything checked to be safe.

Nothing wrong with looking for a plumber and electrician at the same time but if strapped for cash get the electrics looked at asap, as in yesterday. Electrical problems don't fix themselves and they won't go away. This could be very dangerous. Id rather have a leak than a fire. Faulty trip switches can fail in the on position. They may be unable to trip. You really need to get a registered electrical contractor in to test and make sure everything is safe.

gutteruu · 12-01-2016 09:47PM

Did you replace the immersion element yet? Could be a source of electrical issues and damp patch if leaking around the seal. Sounds like its faulty anyway.

If it was me, I'd ask a sparky to throw a quick eye on things. A lot of dodgy stuff going on.

Steve · 12-01-2016 10:04PM

Electricity and water don't get on together.
From what you said, it sounds like water has leaked into both lighting and socket connections.
They'll be on unrelated circuits - the only thing in common is the leak.

As for what to do? you need to get both sorted asap. A leak won't kill you unless it comes into contact with a light fitting and enough dirt to make the water conduct - at which point there is a chance all of your plumbing will become live.

Chances are the bonding is good - which is why breakers are tripping, they are doing their job - resetting them onto a fault is not the best idea though.

Robbie71 · 12-01-2016 11:37PM

maybe rcd has tripped (not mcb) which would affect sockets.
the immersion heating elements can corrode and leak tripping rcd , or the thermostat slot can also corrode and allow water to escape causing your wet patch . keep immersion swithed off at least. You might have 2 immersions -overnight and boost which could cause intermittent problem.

eeguy · 12-01-2016 11:41PM

Electrical problems can kill you.
Plumbing problems (probably) won't.
Get an electrician and he may identify the source of the plumbing problem.

AMKC · 12-01-2016 11:44PM

Is there a blue trip switch on your board. If there is has this tripped at all. If water gets into a live socket circuit then this should trip. If not then maybe you have a mouse or other rodent that is eating wires. Have your sockets and lights come back on since they went off or are they still not working. If they are still not working or are on and off then maybe you should get an electrician in to look at it.

Bonzo Delaney · 13-01-2016 06:56AM

As an elderly tradesman one told me
"A plumbing problem will break your heart , an electrical one will stop it !!!"

phater phagan · 17-01-2016 01:58PM

Hello all - I have a water heater question that I'm hoping to get an answer for.
I have the usual large type of water heater - but there is a secondary much smaller metal cylinder adjacent and connected into the pipes. Can someone tell me what that is for?
My hot water tap in bath runs dry after about 30 seconds and I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the small cylinder?
Thanks in advance

Steve · 17-01-2016 03:18PM

You are probably looking at an expansion chamber for the heating system.

Does it have a valve on top like a car tyre fill valve?

phater phagan · 17-01-2016 03:54PM

Steve wrote: »

You are probably looking at an expansion chamber for the heating system.

Does it have a valve on top like a car tyre fill valve?

Yes it does.

Steve · 17-01-2016 04:04PM

I would guess it's nothing to do with the hot water problem then - it allows the water in the heating system to expand when it heats.

Plumbing & Electrical Help Needed

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