A stairwell stain that wouldn’t tell its story
We were called to a boutique hotel in Qormi after the owner noticed persistent water damage along the stairway walls. He walked us through the plumbing layout and damage history—useful context before we even unpacked our kit.
Rule-out first: visual, thermal & pressure testing
We began with a thorough visual inspection, then took thermal readings of the affected zones. Next came a full thermal sweep for cold spots along suspect pipe runs—nothing obvious. To be certain, we pressure-tested both cold and hot water lines. Again, no loss, no alarms.
When water damage persists but supply lines test clean, think drainage. That was our working theory.
A working theory—and a controlled experiment
The layout suggested the drain run between the laundry area and the rooftop guest toilet could be letting water escape into the structure. We asked the client to avoid using the laundry for three days to monitor whether the stairwell dampness eased.
Visit #2: data confirms the hunch
On our return, fresh thermal images showed dramatically reduced water ingress. Time for a hot water flood test on the upper-floor drainage to map the layout and provoke any hidden escape paths.
The breakthrough
The flood test pinpointed two suspect locations. With the hotel owner and his plumbers, those areas were opened up—and the leak revealed itself. Repairs followed immediately.
What hotel owners can learn from this case
- Don’t assume supply lines. If pressure tests pass, drainage may be the culprit.
- Use controlled pauses. Short moratoriums on laundry or heavy water use can validate a hypothesis.
- Non-invasive first. Thermal imaging and targeted flood tests minimise disruption to guests.
If you’re managing a hotel and spotting mysterious stains or damp smells, our [Water Leak Detection] and [Thermal Imaging] teams can help you rule things out fast—and fix what matters. Leak Detection Malta
