bitumen leaking

[sellers]

been to look at a property to quote a job, noticed bitumen had been leaking a little out of the head, well dried up now though, is it worth reporting to DNO?

 

[kme]

If only a small amount; then prob not - however.......

If the HED warms up under load, due to a poor connection, then a "drip" may leak every time the washing machine & kettle are on, for instance. So it is probably better to advise them, they`ll normally send somebody to have a look and make a determination.

 

[Manator]

I agree, a lot of the "leaks" you see are the results of bad workmanship at the initial connection stage, most did not clean up and left the residue as it was.

Like KME says, the best way to see if its old or new is to feel the head with the shower, kettle, tumble dryer and anything else you can get to run at the same time, heat due to connection problems will melt the bitumen and you will be able to feel the heat.

If it remains cool during this crude test it will most likely be old residue done at connection rather than leaking overheating head.

 

[PC Electrics]

I've reported several cases like this to Eon. They came and changed one about a year after it was reported and another is still waiting after 8 months.

Seems the DNO doesn't see this as much of a problem. However, if you've reported it (and record you have done so) then you cannot be in the wrong if nothing is done and there's any further problems.

 

[septiclecky]

I agree, a lot of the "leaks" you see are the results of bad workmanship at the initial connection stage, most did not clean up and left the residue as it was.Like KME says, the best way to see if its old or new is to feel the head with the shower, kettle, tumble dryer and anything else you can get to run at the same time, heat due to connection problems will melt the bitumen and you will be able to feel the heat.

If it remains cool during this crude test it will most likely be old residue done at connection rather than leaking overheating head.

Can't see it being bad workmenship at the initial connection as these type of heads have not been used for at least 40 years more likely to be the fact a greater load than when first designed causing the bitumen to run.