Mystery Leak January 25, 2020, 03:34:11 pm Every so often I discover a pool of water in the cabinet under my RB sink. I have tightened connections; I have dumped gallons of water down the drains; I have felt NO dampness or dripping around the pipes. I'll clean up the mess, dry everything out, and a week or so later there's that darn pool of water again. I took a 2-day car trip recently, turned the pump off in my absence, and came home to the wet mess. Thinking perhaps the leak might be pump-surge related, I tested my theory by turning the pump off, waiting 24 hours, turned it back on - cabinet was dry as a bone!Thanks for any ideas for where the water might be coming from or what I should check next.Lorna, hoping for rain inCoarsegold
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #1 – January 25, 2020, 04:58:50 pm By 'RB sink', you mean the washbowl, not the galley sink? Did (you or) somebody with a strong flashlight get down and under and peer closely at every line and fitting and check for wet spots and/or discoloration of the wood in the cabinet and on the wall in addition to the 'pool' on the floor of the cabinet? (And remove whatever is stashed in said cabinet before checking for a leak source?) It's difficult to get too far with suggesting possible causes without a thorough inch-by-inch inspection; if you aren't able to do the necessary contortions, there must be somebody at the park who can? P.S. Did you check the plumbing schematic at the back of the manual? It's very basic, but it might give an idea of what to check next.
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #2 – January 25, 2020, 05:34:36 pm I am SO sorry to be unspecific. The leak is under my *kitchen* sink. My apologies. Carry on!Lorna
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #3 – January 25, 2020, 08:07:22 pm So even without the pump on (and not on city water), after a few days you have water appearing under the sink?A couple of possible sources come to mind:How full is the grey tank when this happens?Has there been a rain event shortly before the water showed up?Is Lake Newton full/how is your roof sealant looking?With the latter 2, wondering if it's external water somehow finding a path to under your sink.
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #4 – January 25, 2020, 08:37:35 pm Another question - Is this related to your water heater usage? If you are at pressure (pump on) with cold water in the water heater, and you turn the water heater on, that can lead to significant pressure increases in the system that cause fittings to drip.Ken F in NM
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #5 – January 25, 2020, 09:45:38 pm Thanks Ken and Michelle.There hasn't been a rain event when the puddle appears, and the back wall is always dry so I don't think this is exterior water related, but I'm not ready to eliminate that possibility!I am going to check out water pump/heater possibilities though. I don't hook up to "city water" and only turn on the water heater when I shower so it's always cold when I start up the heater. Hmmmm! Looks like that might be a possibility. If that's the reason, then of course I'll want to know how to fixit!In the meantime, thanks again.Lorna
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #6 – January 25, 2020, 10:03:39 pm Lorna, another place to look:Make sure any openings through the countertop are caulked/sealed well. If you have a protrusion thru the countertop (for a vent pipe, a hot water device, faucet, etc. that is not properly caulked, water spilled on the countertop can go down that path - following the items it touches (any pipes, sink, etc.) or falling straight down and make a puddle under the sink. Jane
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #7 – January 26, 2020, 02:35:48 am Hi Lorna, with RB. I can believe that the trap on your sink might have a very small leak. The water in the trap is a gas seal to prevent vapors in the gray tank from intruding into living space. Usually there is a large ring nut at the outlet from the trap, that can be loose. Or more likely a crack in the black ABS pipe near the bottom. Another more remote possibility is the drain line from the refrigerator. There is a pan under the fins in the 'frig that collects frost melt water, and drains to the outside ground. I'm not sure where that would be routed. I would think it would be under the 'frig, but it might get under the sink. A small 1/2" clear vinyl hose. Next time maybe sponge up the water and squeeze it into a measuing cup. That might help us to know how much water you are finding. HTH RonB.
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #8 – January 26, 2020, 09:17:54 am Lorna, if the water heating expansion is the issue, you can only nail that down by installing and monitoring a pressure gauge. However, there is a very simple way to counter a leak from that expansion. When you turn on the heater, turn off the pump and drain off the system pressure. Getting a glass of water, flushing the toilet, or any other water usage will accomplish that. When the water is hot, turn the pump back on and shower or whatever. If the cause was expansion, you will have no further leaks. If the leak re-appears, it is not due to heating expansion.Ken F in NM
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #9 – January 26, 2020, 10:43:36 am My last two SOB brands had similar leaks. When the water heater is left on it sometimes builds pressure, the water is forced out at the weakest connection. When the water heater cools down the leak disappears making it very hard to find. If I'm leaving my water heater on for a long time I shut off the pump and open a hot water spigot, water slowly drips even though the pump is off. This may or may not be your problem, hope it helps.
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #10 – January 26, 2020, 10:51:41 am I guess I just repeated Ken's advise, sorry Ken, that makes two of us with the same idea, always nice to have some reassurance. 1 Likes
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #11 – January 26, 2020, 01:13:12 pm Ken and "rabbit...", I think you nailed it. Because the leak is so random and all the fittings had been tightened, your diagnosis is the only thing that makes sense. I turned the heater on this AM - no puddle. Is it possible that the trigger is very cold water (1500' elev.) when starting the heater? (Water was still warm from last use.) Nevertheless, thank you for your "fixit"...sounds much easier than installing a pressure gauge!Thank you all for your suggestions...this "place" is an awesome resource.Lorna (finally raining in Coarsegold!)
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #12 – January 26, 2020, 01:37:00 pm LornaWhen I changed your under-sink water filter's cartridge a couple of months ago, I found a small amount of water under the sink, in a tray.I wasn't sure if the water was from the filter change or a real leak. I asked if you were aware of a leak and you were not.. The sink was filled and dumped it twice, seeing if a large amount of drain water would cause the leak in the drain, no leak. The hot and cold water lines were dry.Over the next two days, the water heater was used with no new water appearing under the sink. I checked several times and found the plumbing under the sink was bone dry.I suspect there is a leak between the countertop and the sink. Try flooding the countertop with a couple cups of water, wait a while and see if any moisture appears below.Another approach is to wrap the drain and water lines with strips of paper towels and then check frequently to see in any become wet .Larry 2 Likes
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #13 – January 26, 2020, 04:56:52 pm Thanks Larry...fittings are hand tight but will do the paper towel idea and then check again after doing a big pile of dishes...I do tend to get sloppy! All has been fine until a few weeks ago, and now I check under there daily. Wish you were here!!Lorna 1 Likes
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #14 – January 26, 2020, 08:37:13 pm Lorna, you surmised correctly. My pressure rises and leaks happened ONLY when the contents of the water heater were quite cold, 24 hours off, overnight sub-freezing to mid-30's temps. In the summer it seems to not be an issue. I need really cold water at the start for it to happen.Ken F in NM
Re: Mystery Leak Reply #15 – January 26, 2020, 09:06:13 pm Dearest Lorna... does your RB have an outside shower?? That's where I found a leak!Miss you! Lisa
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