Warm bathroom floors

[Ken Larson]

Anyone care to speculate here? A 1978 home, slab on grade foundation, ceramic tile floor, there is a 4" X 4" section directly in front of the bathroom toilet that (according to the owner) stays constantly warm.

Using my laser thermometer this spot was right at 90 degrees, move a few inches away in any direction and the temp drops to room temp or about 72 degrees.

The water heater is located directly behind the wall where the toilet sits. So, I thought maybe the water line might have been set into the concrete crooked or maybe happened to be sitting high right at that spot. Owner says it remains constantly warm at all times ever since he lived there.

No signs of tile damage or surrounding wall damage. I guess without taking up the tiles and cutting into the slab he may never know exactly what is causing it.

Ideas?

http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=4535&stc=1&d=1201744766
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http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/attachment.php?attachmentid=4536&stc=1&d=1201744766
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[Jon Randolph]

Possible busted hot water supply below the slab? A cheap stethascope may make it possible to hear leaks below the slab.

[Jerry Peck]

Possible busted hot water supply below the slab?

Yep. 99.94% guaranteed. :D

(Just think what you would have seen with an infrared camera.)

[Jon Randolph]

shut off all fixtures in the home and look at the water meter to see if it is spinning. Doesn't take very much flow to cause the flow indicator (triangle) to spin.

[Jerry Peck]

Jon,

You could do that, or, because it is a 'hot water leak' you could just shut the water valve to the water heater off and let the floor cool down - then turn the water heater valve back on and let the floor heat back up. ;)

[Rick Hurst]

Ken,

I've seen this 4 times in my years, and each time it has been a hot water line leaking.

First one I found was only because the seller was at home and had me remove my shoes. As I walked across the floor, I sensed the heat. Sure enough, they call in a leak specialist and he pin pointed it to the area.

Another time I found this to be happening and no one would believe me. 3 days latter heater water was bubbling up around the wax ring of the toilet.

Tell them to call a plumber now.

rick

[Jerry Peck]

I've run across it a few times, and each time it was because 'That's the spot where the dog always lays in the winter, so just step over him, okay?' ... say what? ;) I know WHY the dog lays there :D ... yep, it was ALWAYS a hot water leak.