View Full Version : Wet ceiling
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 08:50 AM
About a yr ago I noticed a wet spot in my livingroom ceiling. It was below the upstairs bathroom. It turned out to be a leak from the water line which I replaced and fixex the problem. This am I get up to find the same spot wet-some of the ceiling down and no water on the upstairs bathroom floo.
In the mean time I have been workinf on the downstairs toilet for several weeks. I have replaced everything and I still get leaks from the tank when it fills up
This is an older house with copper pipes and a roof about 5 yrs old
Thanks
Milo Dolezal
Sep 28, 2008, 08:56 AM
If the wet spot appears in the same location as the previous leak, chances are your repair work needs touch up. That would be where I would start. However, the leak can be from the drain, P-trap, shower pan, gaps bet. Trip and tile, shower head threads...
What's the frequency of the leak?
Does it leak ONLY if shower in use or does it leak 24/7 ?
Does it leak only "sometimes" ?
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 09:38 AM
It's in the same spot. I can not find on water on or around the toilet. I looked in the trap door next to the tub where there is copper pipes and pvc running under the floor to the toilet. It hasn't leaked sinced I fixed it before and as I said-that was the flexable water line from the pipt to the tank. All seems dry there now
speedball1
Sep 28, 2008, 10:42 AM
Milo's on the leak from the toilet. (Have you considered a ruptured wax seal?) so let me address your downstairs john.
have been workinf on the downstairs toilet for several weeks. I have replaced everything and I still get leaks from the tank when it fills up Show me what you've replaced and where it's leaking from,(see image). Regards, Tom
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 10:47 AM
Everything in the picture as well as the seal when I pulled the toilet out.
It's leaking from one of the tank screws-go figure. I've redone then several times so I wonder if there is a crack in the tank around the one screw since that's where it's leaking from
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 10:49 AM
Oh-there is no water around the base of the toilet so I think the wax seal is OK
speedball1
Sep 28, 2008, 12:17 PM
it's leaking from one of the tank screws-go figure. I've redone then several times so I wonder if there is a crack in the tank around the one screw since that's where it's leaking from Sure sounds like that might be the problem. Before I purchased a new tank. I would turn the water off to the tank and dip and sponge the water out and let it get goodand dry. Pull the tank bolt and look for a crack. If you find one then caulk it with epoxy. Note: Make very sure the crack's dry before you use the epoxy. You can dry it out with a hair dryer Let it set up and cure and see if the leaks all gone. Good luck, Tom
Milo Dolezal
Sep 28, 2008, 12:20 PM
Yes, you may have cracked the tank by overtightening the bolt. It happens. See if you can do what Tom suggests. If not, you will have to purchase new tank.
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 12:24 PM
Thanks guy's I'll do that but what should I do about the upstairs toilet . It's not wet anyplace and can't see anything leaking although I can't see very far. I have the water turned off
To the upstairs toilet and will wait and see if the ceiling dries out-meam while-will use the downsairs one
Milo Dolezal
Sep 28, 2008, 12:27 PM
Is there a shower in proximity of the toilet ?
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 12:34 PM
Yes. There is a wall with an access panal between the shower and toilet. I looked in there and can see the stuff for the shower and tub. Nothing feels wet and I ran the shower and watched it and saw nothing. Can't see under the floor to see if something is leaking under the toilet. I can feel the hot and cold water pipes from the tub going under the floor towards the toilet but not enough to see if something is leaking
Well-the ceiling started to get wet again so as it was dripping I just made a hole and looked . Lo and behold there was my upstairs bathroom. I see a pvc pipe and the hot and cold water pipes. I don't see anything leaking however.
I believe there is a stack vent on the roof near the bathroom but that roof and the flanges were replaced 5 yrs ago. Only wondering about this since it's been raining off and on since yesterday
mygirlsdad77
Sep 28, 2008, 05:15 PM
Take a garden hose up on the roof and run water all over any vent terminations that are above your leak area. If you get water inside, you shoud re-tar all roof jacks and see if that helps. If its only leaking when its raining, this is most likely your problem. If not, let me know and we will go from there.
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 05:45 PM
Don't know if I can get on the roof-i'm an old 56 y old women. I'm pretty handy but climbing on roofs is not one of my things. So now I'm stuck-plumber or roofer
I'll see if I can get a long enough ladder
mygirlsdad77
Sep 28, 2008, 05:57 PM
OK. Get a high pressure nozzle for your garden hose and just spray water on the roof around your vents. You should be able to do it from ground level. Just trying to simulate a rain storm. Hope this helps.
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 06:50 PM
Thanks! That I can do. Not raining anymore
And not dripping. Will let you know
Phyllis
Milo Dolezal
Sep 28, 2008, 06:52 PM
don't know if i can get on the roof-i'm an old 56 y old women. i'm pretty handy but climbing on roofs is not one of my things. so now i'm stuck-plumber or roofer
i'll see if i can get a long enough ladder
56 is NOT old !
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 07:03 PM
Thanks-but with my knee that needs to be replaced I sometimes feel pretty old. Like I said-i am handy around the house but I really don't like heights. Stopped raining and no more drips although the sheetrock should be pretty full of water.
Turned on the water again in the bathroom and nothing seems to be leaking there.
Will work on downstairs bathroom this weekend
Milo Dolezal
Sep 28, 2008, 07:06 PM
If it leaks around roof-jack than it is easy fix. Get somebody able up on the roof, have him / her to inspect the roof-jack and possibly fix it right away. It is 5 minute job.
dancer419
Sep 28, 2008, 07:09 PM
Will spray it tomorrow and then call if it leaks-then I'll just need the hole in the ceiling fixed
mygirlsdad77
Sep 28, 2008, 07:20 PM
Sounds like you do very well for your (young) age. You are doing a good job trying to locate the problem. It will save you money in the long run. Even if you have to hire a plumber, or roofer, you have saved them the time of finding the problem. All they have to do is fix it.
dancer419
Sep 29, 2008, 03:46 AM
Thanks-no rain this am and no drip.
You should have seen me fix the oven-i amazed even myself :)
Will drag out the hose after work
Thanks to everyone for all the help
speedball1
Sep 29, 2008, 05:47 AM
Phyllis! Ya got my vote and if you think 56 is old just wait till you turn 81. You're going to think 56 is just a kid. Hell Phyllis! I got a ingrown toenail almost as old as you.
You hang in there girl and between us we'll get your leak fixed. You're getting good advice from guys who really want to help. Good luck, Tom
dancer419
Sep 29, 2008, 06:58 AM
Thanks tom-i try-i really do. Will go up on the ladder(yikes) and try to hit the vent. Actually the front porch has been leaking since the new roof was done 5 yrs ago
In the same places. Everything was sealed and replaced but I'm thinking it might be the gutters too. Might as well do thr roofer first since nothing is dripping
dancer419
Sep 29, 2008, 03:51 PM
The verdict is in. I came home and hosed the vent for 15 min. the ceiling hole was dry when I started-wet when I finished, even had a few leaks on on front porch ceiling. Will be calling a roofer-thanks for everyone's help
Old phyllis
mygirlsdad77
Sep 29, 2008, 03:55 PM
I take back my advice about getting on the roof. No need to take a chance if you don't feel comfortable. If you aren't in a big hurry, I would just wait until it rains again. If it leaks during the rain, you have your answer. Good luck and ill pray for rain.
Milo Dolezal
Sep 29, 2008, 06:33 PM
Sorry, but it looks like you had pretty sloppy roof job done... Hope he'll honor his warranty and shows up in timely manner to do necessary repairs. He should also be liable for repairing your interior damage.
Good luck... and let us know how you did !