Property-Fixx Ltd was contacted by the owner of a rented bungalow after the tenant reported water dripping through a recessed bathroom ceiling spotlight.
The initial assumption was that the leak originated from the bath or shower. However, because water was entering through an electrical light fitting, the situation required immediate investigation to identify both the source of the leak and any potential electrical safety risks.
On arrival, the electrical supply serving the affected lighting circuit was isolated as a precaution.
The bathroom spotlight was removed, together with the associated wiring, and all components were inspected and dried before further investigation commenced.
Access was then gained into the loft space to trace the source of the water ingress.
Inspection revealed that water was escaping from a fractured overflow connection on the cold water storage tank. Instead of discharging safely, the water was running down the side of the tank into its supporting platform before soaking into the surrounding loft insulation.
The saturated insulation acted like a sponge, allowing water to travel across the loft before eventually finding its way through the opening for the bathroom spotlight.
Further examination of the cold water storage tank confirmed that the float valve (ball valve) had failed, allowing the tank to overfill continuously and discharge through the damaged overflow connection.
Although the leak appeared inside the bathroom, the investigation confirmed that neither the shower, bath nor roof covering was responsible.
The failure of the float valve had caused the cold water storage tank to overflow continuously. A fractured overflow connection then allowed water to escape into the loft, where it saturated the insulation before tracking through the ceiling and emerging through the bathroom light fitting.
This case demonstrates how water often travels some distance from its source before becoming visible inside a property.
The defective float valve assembly was replaced and the damaged overflow connection repaired, restoring the correct operation of the cold water storage tank.
All saturated loft insulation surrounding the affected area was carefully removed to allow the roof space and supporting timbers to dry naturally. The loft hatch was intentionally left open to improve ventilation and assist the drying process.
Approximately one week later, the property was revisited. Once it had been confirmed that the loft space had dried satisfactorily, new loft insulation was installed to restore the thermal performance of the roof space.
The bathroom spotlight, electrical wiring and connections were then rechecked before the lighting circuit was safely reinstated.
Repairing the failed float valve and overflow connection permanently eliminated the source of the leak, while replacing the saturated insulation restored the loft to its original condition without trapping residual moisture within the roof structure.
By investigating the route taken by the water rather than assuming the bathroom fittings were responsible, unnecessary repairs were avoided and the underlying defect was correctly identified.
This case highlights the importance of tracing water back to its true source. Water entering a property rarely appears directly beneath the defect, making systematic investigation essential to achieving an accurate diagnosis and a permanent repair.
