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west01
Aug 28, 2010, 10:56 PM
Hi, I need some help with a mysterious water leak in my second floor shower that is leaking into my kitchen. The funny thing is that I can see where the water is coming from but I can’t find the source. I am adding some Pictures so to help you better understand the problem. Let me start by listing all the things I have checked or done:
1) Tested all water lines to shower and shower head (done this by capping shower head pipe) tested for about 20 min. (NO leaks)
2) Plugged shower floor drain and filled basin up with water for 20 min. ( No leaks)
3) Re-calked all joints and took off shower door kit and reinstalled and calked everything (NO leaks)
4) Removed all plates and visually inspected (or at least what I could see) shower head, shower head pipe and all pipes connecting to the shower faucet. (NO leak’s)
5) Checked the tile grout, looks good very very small cracks in it ( just in a few spots)
6) Poured a lot of water down the drain (NO leaks)

To this point I have ruled out any pipe and calking issues and I have isolated the leak ( I think) but I just can't believe the amount of water is coming from what I think the problem is. When the shower is turned on and pointed straight down( the water dose hit the side tiled wall), the water( a good steady stream) is leaking from the corner where the tiled shower wall meets the drywall. There seems to be a farrow strip that separates the tile from the wall. The water is leaking from behind the tile and is coming out the hollow part of the farrow strip. It leaks onto the floor (next to the base board) and then seeps through onto my kitchen ceiling. I also believe there is more leakage than what I see. The amount of water that leaks through the hollow farrow strip in pretty significant, about the size of a dinner plate. Another interesting thing is if I point the shower head towards the back part of the wall ( half glass and tile) the same thing will happen on the other side of the shower, water leaks through the hollow end of the farrow strip. I think I need to seal my grout but I just can believe that this much water is coming from what appears to be good grout. Any suggestions on how to fix this problem would be great.

hkstroud
Aug 29, 2010, 04:29 AM
Good job on isolating the leak but where is the pictures.
To post pictures upload them to your computer in JPEG format. Make your post, click on the "Go Advance" button below the "Answer this Question" block. Scroll down an click on "Manage Attachments" browse to find pictures, click "Open", click "Upload".

speedball1
Aug 29, 2010, 07:22 AM
I keep coming back to the tile grout where the shower stream hits the tile as you shower.
If the grout has shrunk it will allow the water behind the tile. Once behind the tile it runs past the lip of the shower pan onto the floor. Once it's on the floor it seeks the path of least resistance and can come out anywhere. Have you considered rerouting the tiles? Really! That's about all that's left isn't it?
Good luck, Tom

west01
Aug 29, 2010, 09:36 AM
Here are the pics

speedball1
Aug 29, 2010, 09:50 AM
Ahh! You have a shower enclosure and not a custom tiled shower. I'd still suspect the seams where the stream hits. What else 8is there to check>
You've done a great job of analyzing your leak, any other ideas? Let me know, Tom

west01
Aug 29, 2010, 05:10 PM
Thanks for the help Tom, I am going to get some grout sealer and try that, If it doesn't work I will post again. Thanks

Scott

hkstroud
Aug 29, 2010, 06:30 PM
Is that a Corian shower enclosure? Will the corner molding come off. I would assume that there is a cavity behind the molding. Could you seal the cavity at the top of the molding with silicone? If molding can be pried off, remove and seal corner with silicone. Then reinstall molding with silicone, sealing top of cavity so no water can get in the top.