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Speedy Jim[_2_]

wrote:

A few months ago I noticed a small water stain appearing where a
plaster crown molding meets the ceiling. Recently I noticed a
dripping noise after I shut off a sink in a bathroom that's more or
less above the stain. I might not have noticed it sooner because
there's usually a lot of noise from the bathroom vent fan.

Before I call a plumber or have the ceiling or wall ripped open, I'd
like to find out if the drip actually indicates a leak, and not just
normal water draining through the drain pipe. If I run the sink for
10 seconds, then shut it off, the dripping starts about 15 seconds
later, and continues for about another 15 seconds, at a rate of about
3 drips per second. I can hear it from the bathroom as well as from
the downstairs room. The plumbing is about 20 years old, in a house
that's much older.

Are there any tricks to find out what's going on?

Jimmy
\

If the 20 yr old plumbing was done in PVC, dripping noises
are common and may not indicate a leak.

A stud finder can be useful in locating wet plaster
since it appears denser than the surrounding dry plaster.
Try it.

An Ohmmeter might be used with a pair of probes to detect
areas of lower than normal resistance. Takes some experimenting.

Touching the suspect area with the back of the hand can sometimes
show up moist spots from the feel of it.

Jim