Water tank pipe leak

Hi there, the pipe connecting to our water tank recently started leaking / dripping.

I believe this pipe is only active when there are enough water to be pumped to the house for use. It hasn't been used recently as there are not enough water in the tank due to little rain (I'm in Brisbane).

Just wondering what is causing the leak and if this is an easy fix for myself (or should in contact a plumber?)

Thanks

Any chance of a couple of photos from above?

Is there a mains water switching device above the tank that also connects to the mains water and a submersible pump? I suspect that the water leak is mains water.

It looks like they have used copper pipe to transfer rainwater. Rainwater is naturally acidic and reacts with copper. Is the leak coming from a copper pipe?

Before you contact a plumber, you need to understand the issues because a plumber probably wont know unless you know a good one.

Thanks saveh20

Does this & help?

You are right, I think it's from the main water tap

Thanks for the quick reply.

I was hoping to see what those pipes connected to but there has to be a mains water switching device.

Can you tell where the leak originates? Is it from a pipe or a brass fitting?

A leaking brass fitting will be a compression fitting that has been overtightened, kinking the inside ring. To remove the pipe, you first need to turn the mains water and the isolation (ball) valve off and depressurise the system (open some taps). You then undo the compression nut and slide the ring off the pipe. You cannot use a compression ring twice, you will have to buy a new one. You then slide the new ring over the pipe, push the pipe into the fitting and do up the compression nut (but DO NOT overtighten).

Legally, only a licensed plumber can work on the mains water supply and fixing a leak will be a simple task. If you get a plumber, there are other things that you should ask him to check while he is there.

1. The copper pipe diverting water into the house should be lagged because it is in full sun. This is covered in AS/NZS 3500.1 Section 2.3(b) and 2.4(d). Also, the Plumbing Regulations state: “Drinking water that is not intentionally heated must be delivered at a temperature of less than 40 degrees Celsius”. You can lag this pipe yourself.

2. I am assuming that you also have a submersible pump. Many submersible pumps draw water from intakes at the bottom of the pump and these pumps should be isolated from the tank's floor so that they don't vacuum sediment. If you can see the bottom of the tank and if the floor is clean around the pump, it is vacuuming the floor and needs to be isolated on a platform above the floor. A cut down upside down milk crate or similar is good because it doesn't allow a sediment build up like a solid flat surface does.

Thanks saveh20, really appreciate your help. Probably best if I get a proper plumber rather than me damaging it further I guess... Thanks again!

Thanks saveh20, just wondering what is the ballpark figure to get this fixed by a plumber? What's a reasonable amount? Thanks

The compression ring at the mains water line's ball valve almost certainly is the problem and a plumber wouldn't be there more than 1/2 hour of which only minutes would be spent on the repair if it is what I suspect.

Always ask if a call out fee is applicable and how much as well as the minimum time charged and how the time is charged before you book a plumber. You don't want a plumber to be doing a simple job if they have a 1 or 2 hour minimum charge and/or charge by 1/2 or 1 hour blocks.

I have found a simple You Tube video for you that shows the compression ring. If it is a kinked ring, it is easy to replace but remember to turn the mains water off at the meter and depressurise the water pipe before you start unscrewing things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR9cQwnnHXw