Internal Toilet Leak Detection in Dorchester

Symptoms

All plumbing systems in the property — cold feed, hot feed, external mains, and the heating system — were considered as potential sources. On the other side of the utility kitchen wall sat a toilet with a basin, making that area an obvious focus once the pipe pressure tests had been worked through.

The task was to determine whether an active leak was responsible for the moisture being driven into the wall.

Methods Used

This approach — working through each system methodically before committing to invasive inspection — is standard practice in internal leak detection. Once the camera confirmed a leak at the flexible pan connector, the toilet back panel was cut open to allow direct access and visual confirmation of the damage.

Investigation Process

1. 1
   Customer Briefing

   On arrival, the engineer was informed that a damp proof survey had already been completed and had found no fault with the damp proof course, leaving the source of the wall damp unexplained.

2. 2
   Cold Feed Pressure Test

   A pressure test was carried out on the cold feed pipework. It passed, indicating no leaks on that circuit.

3. 3
   External Mains Pressure Test

   A pressure test was carried out on the external mains pipework. It passed, ruling out any leak on the incoming supply.

4. 4
   Hot Feed Pressure Test

   A pressure test was carried out on the hot feed pipework. It passed, clearing that circuit as a source.

5. 5
   Heating System Check

   The heating system was checked and found to be holding pressure with no drop, confirming it was not leaking.

6. 6
   Damp Readings Taken

   High damp readings were recorded in the utility kitchen walls using a damp meter, confirming active moisture was present.

7. 7
   Endoscope Camera Deployed

   With the toilet room identified as the likely source area — directly behind the damp wall — a tracer camera was used and detected the flexible pipe to the toilet leaking.

8. 8
   Back Panel Removed

   The silicone seal was cut and the toilet back panel removed, revealing a flexible pan connector with multiple holes.

9. 9
   Flexible Pan Connector Replaced

   The damaged flexible pan connector was replaced and tested following installation, with the repair passing the post-works test.

Result & Outcome

The engineer noted that water from the leaking connector may have been travelling along the damp proof course and rising up into the utility kitchen walls, which would explain why the earlier damp proof survey found no fault with the DPC itself — the DPC was not the cause, it was simply the pathway. The engineer has recommended forwarding the report to the insurance company.