Tracing a leak??

[Richard10002]

I've got a leak which manifests itself in a pool of water under the port side seat cushion in the aft cabin, (Moody 44 for those who know the boat). There is also some damp to the wood at the junction between the hull and the forward side of the port side lazarette, (but inside the cabin).

I've opened up a little inspection hatch which allows you to get at the underside of the aft port cleat, and cant see any evidence of wet or damp, and the only other obvious thing in the area is the port side pushpit stanchion, the base of which I sealed a few days ago, (I guessed that was where it was coming from /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ).

It's rained since, and I still get the pool of water where the cushion would be.

So how do we trace the source of a leak when it isnt obvious?

I'll probably ask a similar question on the MOA forum as it may be a known problem with a known source.

But it would still be handy if there was a technique for tracing leaks.

Thanks again

Richard

 

[Salty John]

Get a bottle of food colouring. Paint some around the area you suspect and then see if the leak water carries the dye through.

 

[BrendanS]

a good dusting of talcum powder does the same thing, and doesn't stain

 

[Salty John]

I've seen this suggestion before, Brendan, but I'm not sure I understand how it works. If you put talcum powder around the suspect deck cleat, and it is the source of the leak, what is it that emerges at the internal leak point? I would have thought the talcum is simply dissolved.

 

[RAI]

The talc is placed on the inside and the water leaves a streak in it. I've used a water soluble felt tip for the same effect, draw a ring around the suspected object or a line under the suspected area and wait for the dribble to wash a path through it.

 

[RAI]

Are you sure it's not condensation?

 

[ksutton]

On some boats, depending on toe rail/capping design etc, it may be possible to create a couple of dams on the side deck. Fill up with dyed water to make a mini reservoir where you suspect the leak may be.

 

[BrendanS]

put it anywhere the water is accumulating and upwards, and you can see the course of the water

 

[Poignard]

Another option is to use methylated spirits. It quickly evaporates leaving a purple stain that can be cleaned off.

The trouble I've found with al these methods is that if I knew where to put the meths, I would know where the leak is!

 

[Salty John]

Ah, I think Richard's problem is finding the source, not finding the resultant drip. Source and drip can be many feet apart, hence the coloured water trick to identify it's the right water.

 

[Lakesailor]

Don't wait for it to rain. When I worked as a service manager for a Ford dealer we had terrible warranty problems on cars in the early '80s with water leaks. We used to lock an apprentice in the boot with a torch and play a hose over the suspect areas. He would usually be able to spot the water when we hit the right spot. The talc or whiteboard markers would probably help in that respect.

 

[BrendanS]

The talc shows the route of the water ingress. You can quickly put more talc above the route shown, to isolate the source

 

[oldharry]

Another 'tell tale' for tracing leaks is pink loo paper - goes dark on contact with moisture (water. diesel, etc). next time you are aboard on a wet day, wipe any suspected leaks completely dry. Go and have a coffee, come back and wipe again. Any moisture ingress will show up clearly turning ther paper much darker.

it doesnt have to be pink - any colour works , but Tescos' pink seems to go darker than most. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[impact30]

Hi Richard.
I've not tried it, but I read here or somewhere before to fit a leaf blower or similiar fan type implement into the washboard. Seal up the boat as much as possible and soapy water should identify the leak. I'd like to know myself how feasible this approach is.
Good luck.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't wait for it to rain. When I worked as a service manager for a Ford dealer we had terrible warranty problems on cars in the early '80s with water leaks. We used to lock an apprentice in the boot with a torch and play a hose over the suspect areas. He would usually be able to spot the water when we hit the right spot. The talc or whiteboard markers would probably help in that respect.

[/ QUOTE ]

Before that Ford car job, were you a Victorian Chimmey Sweep?? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Are you sure it's not condensation?

[/ QUOTE ]

Certain! It only happens when it either rains, or when I'm filling the water tank and it overflows.

I can probably build a dam - wouldnt need to be coloured as, if it gets through, that's where it's from.

Need to get some food colouring.

Not sure what the talc would tell me that I dont already know??

Thanks for the pointers so far

Richard

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
put it anywhere the water is accumulating and upwards, and you can see the course of the water

[/ QUOTE ]

The water appears from under an inaccessible space, and things continue to be inaccessible, so I cant follow it back to source.

As has been mentioned, if we knew where to put the talc, felt tip, etc... we'd know where the source was.

It's possible I havent filled/sealed the stanchion base properly, but it's going to a right b*gger if it has to come off!!

 

[OGITD]

The best product for resolving a leak was Comma See k N Seal, but unfortunately it has been withdrawn from the market (anyone knows why please do tell).
Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure is widely used but I have not found this to be the solution (no pun intended).
So…during my quest I have discovered a flowable silicon which “does what it says on the tin”.
After replacing my fwd hatch seal and still discovering more than condensation entering the boat while ploughing through a few waves I removed all the outer screws (too many), and gave a scoosh of flowable silicon into each hole. If it quickly disappeared I added a little more until each hole was ¾ full (note to self ensure plastic cover in place below hatch before commencing job). The stuff does flow into all inaccessible areas, and with the screws back in the frame I like to report that my fwd hatch is now dry.

 

[Lakesailor]

It got him out of sweeping the garage /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
So…during my quest I have discovered a flowable silicon which “does what it says on the tin”.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does it have a name/brand, (or is it Ronseal and the clue is in the question /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ).... or is it a secret /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I think it would be handy once I have found the approximate source, and will have lots of other uses - I can think of a few places I'd like to stick it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif