My bathtub only leaks into the ceiling downstairs when my son uses the shower. He is a bodybuilder so weight and size could possibly be an issue, but I especially think it could be the weight in the tub. I have tried everything from re-caulking around the faucet and tub. I have tried putting towels around the floor of the tub to make sure it wasn't leaking that way. Is it possible there is a leak in the drain pipe? But, why would it only affect it when he is in the tub? Also, the drain is plugged at this moment (going to clear it) but it is still leaking. I am not very handy so I would possibly have to call a plumber but I would like to have some kind of idea of the possibilities of what it could be first.

One other thing, it seems the overflow was never attached to anything. I have to make sure the tub is never filled up to this level or it just goes through the floor and drains through the heat duct in the basement.

From the description you give it sounds like there is a leak in the discharge pipe that is activated due to your son's weight when he takes a shower. No amount of caulk on the outside is going to work! The pipe leak must be found before some serious water damage is done to your floors and ceilings. The overflow problem should be corrected also due to the water damage.

But I don't understand why it only leaks when he takes a shower.

In other words, why would his weight activate a leak in the discharge pipe?

Quote; One other thing, it seems the overflow was never attached to anything. I have to make sure the tub is never filled up to this level or it just goes through the floor and drains through the heat duct in the basement.



Pam you said that the overflow was never connected, this could be your problem, the way the drain for a tub is made is that it has a drain out of the bottom of the tub and then the overflow is a pipe that goes up the tub to the top hole in the tub. If the pipe is not in place, the hole where it goes in the drain from the bottom of the tub is only about a couple of inches above the bottom of the tub. With you son taking a long shower the water could rise above the "T" that the overflow goes into and then spill out onto the ceiling.

This is not very well explained but maybe someone that knows how to add a picture will do that and make it understandable.

Pam...

What kind of tub/shower unit do you have.. Fiberglass setup or cast iron tub and tile walls?

Any chance that there is an access panel behind the tub in a closet..

Lastly, how old is your tub/shower unit and how many handles does your tub/shower valve have?

You said, only leaks when son takes shower, but later said, "Also, the drain is plugged at this moment (going to clear it) but it is still leaking". Am I right to assume you meant that tub drain is clogged but there in NO LEAK present? If so... that makes this more interesting... ;)

Answer my questions... sounds like you may have a couple issues here... maybe..?

MARK

I understand the "T" situation from your description. To the other questions, the tub is 13 years old, standard cheap tub with ceramic tile walls. There is no access panel.:( Shower/tub has one valve. The handle broke off and we've had to turn it with a pair of plyers. It looks like I would have to replace the whole thing. I haven't fixed the plugged drain yet because now I'm a little concerned about pouring Draino down it and that leaking through too. When the drain first plugged up, it did not leak the first day. Now it's leaking again but is a little slower. I was hoping all of this would be a cheap fix but the more I say and the more answers you give, it sounds like a fairly major job which I dread for obvious expense reasons. Any idea what this might cost?

Pam, w/o overflow, you have open drain. Plug it first...

It is very possible your drain or trap are corroded and leaking. It is common problem. I don't think body weight has nothing to do with it.

Hey Pam,
You have multiple problems here. First things first. Cut in a access panel behind the ntub drain and install a new tub waste i8f needed or connect what you have. Then snake the tub drain from the overflow after removing the chrome face plate and trip wire and plug,assembly (see image). You will hit the bend of the trap about 18" down but once around that you only have 10 more feet to put out.
That leaves the leak that develops as your son showers. this could be caused by several things.
1) If the tub floor flexes a bit when your son steps in the tub it could cause the lip of the drain to lift a bit off the seal allowing water to leak past. If the seal weren't ruptured when he stepped out and the floor flexed back the drainh could seal itself and hold water. The solution to this would be to "bed" the tub floor by puddling cement or mortar under the tub floor and around the drain and letting it cure and set up and then loosen the drain and reseal with Silicon Jel or plumbers putty. **or**
2) Over time tile grout shrinks, I would take a hard look at where the shower stream hits when Sonny's in the shower. If the tile grout's shrunk water can get behind the tiles and run behind the tub onto the floor. The solution to that is regrout the tike where the stream hits it.
Good luck and thank you for rating my reply. Mn Tom