So, picture this—you’re sitting at home, minding your own business, and suddenly you get a call from your downstairs neighbour. “There’s water leaking through my bedroom ceiling, right underneath your bathroom!” Talk about a nightmare, right?
That’s exactly what happened to one of our clients in Gzira. They noticed their neighbour’s ceiling was getting soaked, and obviously, the first thought was that something was going seriously wrong in their bathroom. That’s when they gave us, Leak Detection Malta, a call to come and sort it all out.
When we arrived, we were greeted by the client’s handyman, who was just as puzzled as they were. The water damage was obvious, but the source? Not so much. We knew this was a job for our trusty thermal technology leak detection tools.
Step One: Bathroom and Living Room Inspection
We started by inspecting the bathroom—obviously the prime suspect—and the living room next to it. Using our thermal cameras, we looked for any cold spots that might indicate where water was sneaking through. These spots can often show up where water is pooling or spreading, so they’re a dead giveaway when it comes to finding hidden leaks.
Step Two: Checking the Roof and Soffit
To cover all bases, we also headed up to the roof to make sure there weren’t any hidden issues up there. You’d be surprised how often a roof leak can sneakily drip down into areas you’d never expect. Thankfully, the roof was in good shape.
Then, we took a look above the soffit, the space between the ceiling and the roof, just to make sure nothing was going wrong up there. No problems to report there either—no damage, and all the water supply lines running to the bathroom looked perfectly fine.
Step Three: The Shower Tray Culprit
With the roof and soffit cleared, we turned our attention back to the bathroom. After more investigation, we found the source: the shower tray. Specifically, there were cold spots at the far corner and along the sides, starting from the floor and creeping upwards. This told us that the water was most likely coming from the shower tray lining and drain. Every time the shower was used, water was leaking out and making its way down into the neighbour’s ceiling below. Not good.
Step Four: Unrelated but Noticed – Terrace Drains
While we were investigating, we couldn’t help but notice that the terrace drain covers weren’t sealed properly either. Sure, this wasn’t the cause of the current leak, but it’s definitely something that could cause future headaches. Better to sort it out now before it becomes another problem down the road.
Our Recommendations
So, what’s the fix? Here’s what we recommended to the client:
- Remove the shower tray and fix the drains properly. Once the work’s done, the area needs to be sealed with a waterproof sealer to prevent any future leaks.
- Waterproof the terrace drains and install the covers properly. While unrelated to the immediate problem, it’s always best to handle potential issues early.
And there you have it! A full investigation, an identified culprit, and clear steps to fix the issue. If you’re ever in the unfortunate situation of dealing with a leak—whether it’s in the bathroom, ceiling, or even the terrace—it’s always best to call in the experts. At Leak Detection Malta, we’re here to help with our professional leak detection services and make sure your home stays dry and problem-free.
Got a water leak problem? Don’t wait for it to get worse. Contact Leak Detection Malta and let’s get it sorted!
