[HomeOwnerNewbie]

Hi there,
I just bought my first house and of course the inevitable problems are arising. We have a 1947 duplex home that has been totally redone around 2002. I took a bath for the first time the other night and had two surprises when I finished. The tub drained super super slow and then I went downstairs and realized it was leaking into the kitchen through the ceiling! The drain had never been sluggish at all prior to this but all of the sudden clogged. It's not a total clog as it will drain eventually (maybe an hour). We tried the obligatory Draino as well as using a plunger per Bob Villa's recommendation. Still nothing. We don't have any sort of plug or pop-up in the drain, just a basic drain. I guess my next step is a snake or cable auger through he overflow drain? But even if I get the clog fixed I'm clueless as to where to start with the leak. I haven't noticed it again after showers but I certainly don't want to ignore it. We are very tight on funds though so getting a plumber or handyman is not really feasible unless absolutely necessary! :rolleyes: Thanks for any help!
*Kristina

[speedball1]

First things first! Remove the chrome overflow plate and snake the tubs drain line. If there's a access panel behind the tub open it up and tell me where the highest point is that you can see moisture. Then let me know what you find. Regards, Tom

[ballengerb1]

How long ago did you buy this house, did it come with any warranty from the seller? If it happened on your first bath I'd be a bit miffed with the seller.

[HomeOwnerNewbie]

First things first! Remove the chrome overflow plate and snake the tubs drain line. If there's a access panel behind the tub open it up and tell me where the highest point is that you can see moisture. Then let me know what you find. Regards, Tom

We went to HomeDepot and got a professional strength hair clog remover. It helped but did not completely get rid of the clog. I will try to stop by today and buy a snake to try that approach. We also investigated behind the wall and found the access panel. Unfortunately as it has been a couple of days now and it was all dried out and no moisture tat I could find. The sales associate at HomeDepot mentioned it might be a gasket problem around the overflow plate. IN the panel, the gasket seemed fine, loose, but in good condition... should we try to replace it? I will poke around a bit more over the holiday and update you, any follow-up advice in regards to the absence of moisture would be great. We've realized it only leaked with the bath, not showers.. So I am assuming it is something specific to the overflow mechanisms. Thanks so much for your help!

*BTW ballengerb1: we just bought the house a few months ago and our home warranty does cover these things but we still have to pay the $60 deductable and they don't cover any damages (ie: water damage) as a result of the problem.
No need to get worked up to the seller, these things happen, surprises are part of the territory. :rolleyes:

[ballengerb1]

The warranty was just a thought, seller fixing slow drain would sound picky. However a slow drain should not cause water to leak into the room below and that leak is a much larger issue. An issue that was likely known by the seller. Sellers are required to disclose known conditions and I would hold them responsible including paying the deductible, but that's just me.

[HomeOwnerNewbie]

and that leak is a much larger issue. An issue that was likely known by the seller. Sellers are required to disclose known conditions and I would hold them responsible including paying the deductible, but thats just me.

That's a good point. We'll look into it and if this seems much larger than an easy fix, especially if there is extensive water damage in the ceiling, I may look into asking for reimbursement or something. Thanks for your help!