I think part of my solar hit water system is Leaking advice needed?

[Teddybear154]

I hope I'm posting in the right place and on right forum if not I appologise.
I really hope some one can help.

I live in a 2 story house, we have a solar hot water system with combi boiler. There is a water tank next to boiler down stairs which is attached to solar system.

I went in to my young daughters bedroom just now and noticed a large brown damp stain on ceiling. On the roof above her bedroom is the solar panel.

I have been up in loft and right above where brown stain is in loft is a black box that seems to be conected to solar panel. What is this box and could this box be leaking water.

Sorry if I'm not being very clear I don't know any thing about solar water systems. It was installed on our new build house as standard. The solar hot water system is only 4 years old.

I can get my husband to take some photos of this black box later if it helps.

I can't see any obvious signs of leaking from actual roof, there is quiet a bit of mould /mildew in the area where solar panel is fixed to roof. but this has been there from the start. I just assumed all lofts got a bit of mould, maybe I'm wrong.

Need to try and find source of leak so can call correct people to fix.

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[J.P.M.]

It may be a leak at the point of roof penetration caused by a poor/inadequate flashing or sealing. Call a roofer. If that is not the problem, since you know nothing of solar, I'd respectfully suggest you call the co. that installed the system if known. If not, call a reputable vendor of solar thermal equipment.

[thejq]

I went in to my young daughters bedroom just now and noticed a large brown damp stain on ceiling. On the roof above her bedroom is the solar panel.

I have been up in loft and right above where brown stain is in loft is a black box that seems to be conected to solar panel. What is this box and could this box be leaking water.

I assume your daughter's room is on the 2nd floor, so above her room should be the attic and then the roof. So when you said "loft", did you mean attic? If so, when you're up in the attic, check if there're leaks from the roof directly above the brown spot. If not, check underneath the "black box", like insulation or framing. Normally it should be sitting on some type of plywood or frame. And check all the hoses and connections. The heating system itself should be built to last a long time, but the connecting hoses, if not installed or tightened properly, can crack and leak. Anyway, if you have easy access to the space right above the brown spot, it should not be too difficult to figure it out.

For a 4-year new house, if you can't solve the problem easily, your builder should have some type of warranty. Check your warranty papers. The roof should have a 10-year warranty, heating/cooling, maybe 5 etc.

[Teddybear154]

I assume your daughter's room is on the 2nd floor, so above her room should be the attic and then the roof. So when you said "loft", did you mean attic? If so, when you're up in the attic, check if there're leaks from the roof directly above the brown spot. If not, check underneath the "black box", like insulation or framing. Normally it should be sitting on some type of plywood or frame. And check all the hoses and connections. The heating system itself should be built to last a long time, but the connecting hoses, if not installed or tightened properly, can crack and leak. Anyway, if you have easy access to the space right above the brown spot, it should not be too difficult to figure it out.

For a 4-year new house, if you can't solve the problem easily, your builder should have some type of warranty. Check your warranty papers. The roof should have a 10-year warranty, heating/cooling, maybe 5 etc.

Thanks for your reply, I should have been more clear sorry. Yes my daughters bedroom is on 2nd floor. And yes I ment attic. Sorry in America it's called attic in the uk we call it loft. Sorry for the confussion.
I'll get my husband to go up and have another look when he comes home from work. I have looked at roof right above where brown stain is but can't see any signs of a leak. That's why I wondered if maybe it was the solar hot water system leaking.

Thanks