View Full Version : Upstairs shower leaks intermittently
nanrvan
Jun 21, 2010, 11:22 PM
I have leak from my upstairs shower to the kitchen below. Previously had a fiberglass shower. This is when the leak began. A plumber showed me how the shower wall was moving away from the fixture and this was most likely the cause of the leak. I remodeled the bathrooms replacing the shower enclosure with a steel enameled tub and tile. New tile on floor as well. Everything was fine for a while then I started getting a leak again. It doesn't leak all the time only when someone takes a long shower. I hired a contractor to fix the problem. He said the water was dripping onto the floor and coming through the tile. He re-caulked the tub and tile and tested the fix for about a week with normal use. Everything was fine. It's been approximately 9 months since the last fix and it began leaking again. I called the contractor back and he drilled a hold in the kitchen ceiling too keep water from collecting and monitor the leak. Again it only leaks during long showers. And when it leaks it's a steady stream of water.?
Milo Dolezal
Jun 21, 2010, 11:27 PM
Cut large opening in the ceiling directly below the shower. Turn shower ON. Take flash light and observe where is the water coming from. You should be able to determine if it is coming from drain pipe or if it is dripping down the shower wall. Come back to let us know what you've found out. Back to you... Milo
Would be very helpful if you could take few photos and post them for us...
speedball1
Jun 22, 2010, 07:01 AM
It doesn't leak all the time only when someone takes a long shower
My bet's on the tile grout. Follow Milos advice and check and caulk the tiles where the stream hits.
Good luck, Tom
nanrvan
Jun 22, 2010, 08:06 AM
Thank you. My first thought was also the tile grout. All the tile along the corner of the shower and along the seam between the tile and the tub has been regrouted. Also a bead of silicone has been applied along the edge of the shower door frame. The last contractor did make a huge cut out in the kitchen ceiling (below the leak) and could not find a leaking pipe. (since then, the ceiling was repaired. I just wanted to get as much feedback as possible before cutting another hole.) He said it appeared to be coming from water coming out of the shower and making a puddle on the floor. Although it's confusing to me, because the amount of water that is coming through the hole in the ceiling is a little more than a puddles worth. Maybe I'm totally wrong here, but I imagine water that seeps through grout would do so slowly, at least until the grout is totally soaked. The grout does not have the appearance of being water logged as it is all the same color. I'm not sure if I mentioned, the stream of water that comes through my ceiling is a fast and steady. No dripping first or after. Just as though someone is pouring a tall glass of water and then stops. Thanks again.
Milo Dolezal
Jun 22, 2010, 09:44 AM
Is it Shower or Tub/Shower combo ? If tub than tighten the overflow plate. If the plate is turned upside down to its original position: slots should be facing down...