Hi there,
I am a single woman and bought my first home last July, a 1900 Victorian and now I am having a problem with plumbing. I had Roto Router and a couple of plumbers come in and it seems there is a leak in my Water Main Stack. Whenever I take a shower on the second floor a slight trickling of water comes down in the basement on the Main Stack. I had a few estimates which are all very high for plumber and contractor. I don't know what is considered a reasonable amount for this type of job but $15,5k seems high to me.

Is there any short term solution I can ask for to solve this issue other than opening up walls and replacing the cast iron Water Main Stack? Is it that bad to live with a slightly leak trickling down?

Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it.

This may not be as bad as you've been told. Let's you and I analyze this rogether. Please answer the questions I ask.
1) Do you get any moisture coming down the stack when you flush or drain the bathroom sink? ( I got to know this)
2) Is this a walk in shower or a tub/shower combo?
3) Did the plumber check to see exactly where the leak originated from or did he just quote you a price for replacing the stack?
4) Don't do a thing until you know more about the problem.
Stay in touch, Tom

Hi Tom, thanks for your reply. You're an angel. :)

Here's my answers:

1) I did not witness this. The plumber had me turn on the bathroom sink and flush the toilet but did not say if it leaked. (I can test this tonight and confirm.)

2) This is a tub/shower combo. One of the plumbers noticed that it could be leaking from through. (When I bought the house the back wall where the shower value was torn up. I hired someone to put a shower/tub surround on quickly to be able to pass inspection for the government loan.)

3) He did not get specific on where the leak was coming from. The plumber with the $15.5 quote said I should remodel my bathroom totally to make sure the pipe on the floor aren't the cause. (My bathroom is small appx. 8 by 6 too.)

4) My brother who has owned older homes said the same thing!! He said I could put a towel up as far as the main stack goes in the basement and try to diagnosis if it is leaking in the pipe in the basement. The plumber with the high quote said I had to do this because eventually this trickling will becoming gushing.

Thanks again Tom...
Polly

Listen to your brother and get him involved , ( I like him already) and not someone that's attempting to replace everything for a small leak. And, if the plumber doesn't know where the leak comes from, how does he knpow it will turn into a "gusher"? This sounds like he's attempting to scare you into a high priced job. This is great for the plumber but not so good for the poor home owner.
The most important thing is to nail down the source, of the leak.
Is this a plastic, steel or cast iron bathtub? Do you have another bathroom you could use until we sort this out?
Don't worry! I have experts on this page that I consider to be a lot sharper then me. You're in good hands here at AMHD. Cheers, Tom

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the advice.

The tub is not an old one. It is like one from the 70s... (i.e. porcelin, arcrylic?) The other plumber said that the grout on the tub was wearing and grout where the tub surround lies... and the leak could be from there.

I'm so glad I found this website!!

I'll check on putting on the bathroom sink/toilet and see if it trickles down the basement tonight, and I'll report back here.

Thanks again!!
Polly

Hey Polly,
Masplumber, (Mark) is from your area.
As we get more information I'll bring him on board. Does the tub flex and give a bit as you step into it? Does it leak when you take a bath or just when you shower?
In the meantime do the flush thingy and report to me.
I'm attempting to eliminate the stack and go from there. Good luck, Tom

Hi all...

Answer Tom's questions Boston... information below may help you to answer best.

Start by filling the tub and draining the tub... see if water shows up at the main waste stack in basement. If no water shows up then I would have you flush the toilet a number of times... any water at the stack yet? If no, then you want to take a shower.. not just run the shower... take a shower and see if it shows up then.

Perform these tests in the sequence presented and tell us what you determine.

Finally, I want you to prepare your brother for opening up a couple spots in the walls. They will be small holes and should help to isolate the location of the leak.

Back to you...

MARK

PS: Don't let Tom fool you...believe me, he's the sharpest tool in the shed around here :)

Hi Tom, Hi Mark,
I did a quick test to see if there is leaking with flushing the 2nd floor bathroom and running the bathroom sink... and there is. And when I run the shower... :(

Looks like you'll need to open the wall/ceiling in a few spots just as you feared.. *UGH*!

If you are lucky you can isolate this to an individual fitting... if unlucky, the whole vertical stack will need to be replaced... *double UGH*!

I'd see if you can get your brother involved here and cut a couple holes... may or may not be a big deal. Glad to discuss where I would start with this...

Otherwise, I'd suggest that you get a few estimates regarding the work. A good plumber should suggest taking a little time to explore the leak and then he can determine costs involved.

Back to you...

Mark

Hi Mark and Tom,
I have some good news. Last Thursday, I had someone come in and they did a diagnostic test. (They opened a wall and found the leak.)
They gave me an estimate of $1,500 to replace the pipe with PVC/make the cuts in the wall and put it back to the way it was.

I just spoke to them and he said it was split all the way up, and it was one of the hardest ones of this type that he's ever done. They have about another hour or so to finish up. I just wanted to thank you for your advice.

Polly