Tracing an annoying Leak

[jac]

Was awoken last night by a drop of water from overhead.

Examination showed it coming from under the headlining and then running down to just above me. I have a deck fitting with dodgy looking sealant that I know I need to look at so shouldn't be surprised and it has been raining.

BUT...

That is on the other side of the boat. The water would need to flow up hill to then emerge from the headlining there.
Also every fitting in the affected area is inside the cockpit enclosure and everything inside the cockpit was dry.

I had wondered if it might be condensation, condensing between the headlining and the deckhead and then running down. Possible/ likely???

We're back home tomorrow so I'll remove the headlining and see if I can see where it's coming from but no idea at this stage how it's getting through a cockpit enclosure and deck or flowing uphill!!

 

[Javelin]

Our trick is to break individual pieces of toilet paper and stick them all over possible routes with a bit of tape.
You can then usually narrow it down pretty fast and you chase the soggy ones and ignore the dry ones.

 

[Billjratt]

When you've got the headlining off, puff everything with talcom powder including the upper surface of the headlining. Then, if it happens again, you may be lucky enough to have a trace back to the leak.

 

[daveyw]

Seal the boat as best as possible, tape up the companionway/vents etc. Tape garden blower to forward hatch and fire it up. This will pressurize the interior. Spray soapy water over all suspect fittings on coach roof exterior and await for bubbles.

 

[jac]

Seal the boat as best as possible, tape up the companionway/vents etc. Tape garden blower to forward hatch and fire it up. This will pressurize the interior. Spray soapy water over all suspect fittings on coach roof exterior and await for bubbles.

How long to then remove the bits of dead leaves from all over the boat!!!!

 

[gcostell]

Seal the boat as best as possible, tape up the companionway/vents etc. Tape garden blower to forward hatch and fire it up. This will pressurize the interior. Spray soapy water over all suspect fittings on coach roof exterior and await for bubbles.

Hi, I have an annoyingly leaky window. Have sealed it with Tek 7 on the outside but still no joy. Have you ever tried something similar with a hair dryer, since the source is fairly local?

 

[Stemar]

Hi, I have an annoyingly leaky window. Have sealed it with Tek 7 on the outside but still no joy. Have you ever tried something similar with a hair dryer, since the source is fairly local?

You need it increase the pressure on the inside. To do it locally if you can seal all round the window and the hair drier, but it could be done.

FWIW, I refurbished my windows and used the wrong sealant (a professional glazing sealant ) that didn't seal to either the frame or the pespex. The only cure I found was to drill a weep hole on the outside of the frame at the lowest point to allow water in the bottom of the fram to find its way out.

 

[gcostell]

You need it increase the pressure on the inside. To do it locally if you can seal all round the window and the hair drier, but it could be done.

FWIW, I refurbished my windows and used the wrong sealant (a professional glazing sealant ) that didn't seal to either the frame or the pespex. The only cure I found was to drill a weep hole on the outside of the frame at the lowest point to allow water in the bottom of the fram to find its way out.

Hi, thanks for that, will consider a weep hole. I find Tek 7 good for leaks, it fixed another window (that had a smaller leak) so I'd like to try the seal option first.

 

[Downsman]

Get some non toxic, non staining water colour paint the sort of stuff nippers in playschool get to play with. Make up a weak solution in a jug and pour a little around any deck fittings that are suspect. You'll end up with a coloured trace which will wipe clean easily, indicating the guilty fitting..