Deck leaks

[Amulet]

Some of my ungrateful crew snivel about water dripping on them when trying to sleep.

It's easy to see where the water comes out. How the hell do you work out where it got in? I have drips under bits that look flawless from the outside.

 

[Boathook]

I used tissue to follow water drips in the past and the leaks came from areas that surprised me as they looked perfect !!

 

[majdrew]

A trick I heard, was to rig something like a leaf blower, into the interior, then seal everything, blow air in to increase pressure, and watch where the bubbles are coming from topside, where you have covered it with a thick solution of soapy liquid.. sounds crazy but..

 

[oldsaltoz]

Spread some talcum powder around, the leak will leave a clean track though the dust.

Assuming it's not condensation being so cold outside.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[leomagill]

Chalk lines will show leak runs, or if you have access an aerosol can of 'crack testing developer' is absolutely brilliant, leaves a fine white powder over everything and the slightest damp patch will show up easily, must be dry to start with though to show tracks back to source.

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]

Assuming it's not condensation being so cold outside.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was my first thought

 

[Salty John]

Having owned a boat with a teak laid deck I have spent many hours hunting for the origin of leaks. As you say, it's easy to find where they end - usually over my bunk - but they can originate far away.
On a dry day you can use a hose on individual suspect areas - deck fittings, cabin to deck join, missing deck plugs - and see if you can cause the leak. I tried food colouring brushed on suspect areas and then hosed and it did work to some extent.
There is no easy solution (ha ha) I'm afraid; I eventually replaced my teak deck and the leaks went away.