We had a leak in our shower and redid the whole thing 6 months ago. The leak was visible on the outside of the shower, lower right hand corner (same side as the plumbing). It caused the tile and wall board in shower (just underneath the shower head) to buckle, too. When old wallboard removed during remodel, the plumbing seems solid, no leaks (water pressure on, but shower obviously not in use due to shower torn up). Remodeler said the leak and damage was probably caused by leaks in grout in the tile wall. Leak only occurs when shower is on and water running.

Well, new tile, new grout, AND wallboard, and we have the same problem occurring. The tile on outside lower corner is pulling away, grout falling out, and you can see drips of water landing on our floor. So we can only conclude that there is a weird plumbing problem still existing but only occurs when the water is turned on. Any clues? Our remodeler obviously doesn't have one since he didn't fix it the first time!

What kind of shower body do you have is it three valves or single handle try taking off the shower head and put a cap on the threads you would need a 1/2 cap turn on shower only and see if water is leaking if so would be 2 things either copper connection on top of valve or pipe connected in wall frim shower head you should be able to see either without opening wall you can pull back escution behind shower head and look with flashlight up there or if not there remove handle and back plate and you should be able to see all fitting connections

Please let me know how you do

corrillo said it: remove trim , turn water ON and look inside the wall. Look for dripping water. Your leaks is from shower riser and/or 90 ell on top of this riser, and/or the point where shower arms crews into this 90. It should not be so hard to locate the leak.

You have gotten some good advice. Here is some more, your old contractor has liability for this problem since he did not use due diligence when repairing the original problem. His assumptions was a real stretch and I think he needs to provide you with some financial relief.

corrillo said it: remove trim , turn water ON and look inside the wall. Look for dripping water. Your leaks is from shower riser and/or 90 ell on top of this riser, and/or the point where shower arms crews into this 90. It should not be so hard to locate the leak.

Thanks for your advice. Our remodeler regrouted so I guess we have to wait to see if that truly fixes it, although I have serious doubts. Your reply is what I had hoped he would at least try to investigate when the shower was torn up; making sure there were no leaks occurring when the valve was opened.

what kind of shower body do you have is it three valves or single handle try taking off the shower head and put a cap on the threads you would need a 1/2 cap turn on shower only and see if water is leaking if so would be 2 things either copper connection on top of valve or pipe connected in wall frim shower head you should be able to see either without opening wall you can pull back escution behind shower head and look with flashlight up ther or if not there remove handle and back plate and you should be able to see all fitting connections

please let me know how you do

It is a single handle. Our remodeler did do this test. What he didn't test was having the valve open with the shower head on and water running.

You have gotten some good advice. Here is some more, your old contractor has liability for this problem since he did not use due diligence when repairing the original problem. his assumptions was a real stretch and I think he needs to provide you with some financial relief.

Thank you for that affirmation. He is working with us on trying to repair it at no additional cost to us. But he is working from the easy approach first, which is regrouting what he thinks is causing the leak.

From 45 years experience I'm going to venture to say it is not a grouting problem.