Jump to content

DIY help please


bonio
 Share

Recommended Posts

Was going to bed last night, when I noticed a stain on the bedroom ceiling :(. So up into the loft this morning. It turns out that there's a small cylindrical red tank about 2 foot long which seems to be part of a hot water solar system that had been removed before we ever moved in. I'd seen it there before, but just left it as it was fixed and seemed to be harmless enough. Recently though, this tank has corroded and started leaking... oil. And it's now found its ways into the bedroom ceiling.


I removed the tank, cleaned up the oil in the loft and cut out all the oily insulation. But what I'm left with is an oily joist and some oily plasterboard:20200911_110715.thumb.jpg.a9527b40a1bd3ac7e40075ece3b4f346.jpg

The bread knife gives an idea of the scale.


Downstairs in the bedroom, the stain in the ceiling is about 9" by 3". It's very slightly oily to touch.


I've got to the point where it's not going to get much worse, but the question is how to make it any better?


I'm thinking to leave leave it for a month or so and see if the ceiling dries out a bit. If so, paint over with Zinsser, otherwise, cut out the bad board, replace with new and plaster over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi [mention]bonio[/mention] my preference would always be to cut out the affected board completely, I know Zinsser is a cracking stain block but I think oil would be a step too far.

Also when you take out the board you might be able to wrap the ceiling joist with something that will isolate the oil within and prevent reoccurance.

Cheers

Ian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Speaking as someone involved in the construction industry.


I would advise to cut off all the contaminated area and replace with new plasterboard.

This is not a difficult task and shouldn't be too costly.

Although the spreading of the oil will slowdown as the oil will dry out and the volume per m2 will decrease is still a contaminant and an environmental and health issue. The oil will still keep to evaporate for years to come (could go as far as 10 years) and it will contaminate the air that you and your family will be breathing.


Painting over could be a temporary solution but you don't know how the oil will behave with the paint so is not like painting over asbestos. Painting over still active oil won't seal it but instead will mix the paint with the oil resulting in anyone's guess chemical mixture.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds like an expansion vessel. Didn't know they had any oil in them. Thought it was water and compressed air separated. We have two in our house as part of the central heating system.

 

Solar heating system runs on a oil based closed circuit. Mainly because oil expands less than water and requires smaller expansion tanks, also stops systems from rusting.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ta all. Good advice.

Yeah, I think it will be possible to wrap the joist to prevent oil seeping into the new board.

 

I would wrap bottom and sides leaving the top free to breathe.

As [mention]husoi[/mention] said there will be evaporation but it will take along time.

Cheers

Ian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would be inclined to replace the joist or at the very least cut out the affected area :thumb:

 

If it's a trussed roof then dont go down this route.

When we get damaged trusses on site we have to jump through quite a few hoops to get repairs approved.

Cheers

Ian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Richzx6r

Probably best to rebuild the house. Can't be too safe.

 

:stupid: :D failing that cut out the affected board and seal off affected joist to try and prevent recurrence in the future

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cut out the plasterboard and seal the joist with some epoxy resin. You can add some fibreglass to strengthen the resin or just use the resin.

Once the resin cures, around 7hrs, fit new plasterboard and decorate.

It won't cost you a lot and will solve the problem.

The epoxy resin will prevent any short and medium term damage.

To help with long term damage you can try some wood hardener (No I'm not talking about viagra :P ) It will harden the joist turning it into hardwood which is more dense and will stop the oil to spread on the sides of the joist.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

just leave it for a couple of weeks , then paint over it like you said....see what happens, always start with the cheapest and easiest.

 

You sound like a cowboy builder :lol: :lol:


Keep in mind that cheap means doing the work twice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

just leave it for a couple of weeks , then paint over it like you said....see what happens, always start with the cheapest and easiest.

 

You sound like a cowboy builder :lol: :lol:


Keep in mind that cheap means doing the work twice.

 

common sense , why would you rip half your ceiling down , when it might dry out and you could paint over it :roll:

if it didn't dry out then yeh replace it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Welcome to The Motorbike Forum.

    Sign in or register an account to join in.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Guidelines We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Please Sign In or Sign Up