I live in a 3 level townhome built in the 70s. It seems that my 2nd floor shower is leaking water into the ceiling of the kitchen directly below it. The shower drain appears to be plastic (black) with a rubber ring around it. To date I've used 100% silicone around the ring in an attempt to seal the leak but it doesn't work. If there is anymore info that you need to help me with this problem, please let me and I'll get back with you ASAP ! Thanks in advance for your response.

Rob

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by eaglesclaw

If there is anymore info that you need to help me with this problem, please let me and I'll get back with you ASAP

---

Do you have an all-plastic shower stall, plastic shower base with tiled walls, or tiled walls and base?


Are you absolutely sure the leak is coming from where you think it is? Consider this: there are three general areas where the leak may be coming from:
The shower base: cracks or holes in the base (plastic) or problematic tiles/grout (tile).
The drain: the transition between the shower base and the drain may be problematic.
The P-trap and drain pipe: unfortunately, drain pipes can crack or (in the case of cast iron) corrode.

Having said all that, let's try to narrow it down:

To eliminate #3, plug up the drain using a balloon, drain stopper, or whatever. Fill the shower pan with a couple of inches of water, and let it sit for a while. If there is no leak, we have determined that the pipes are the problem - since water is not going in the pipes now and it is not leaking, and when water goes in the pipes there is a leak, that theoretically means the p-trap/pipe is the problem.

(continued next post... )

(... continued)

If the leaking continues, try #1 next: If the base is plastic, check the entire shower base for "spider cracks", holes, or anything else that looks suspicious. If the base is tiled, check the tiles carfully for cracks, and make sure the grout/caulking is in decent condition. (Actually, you could really try this before the previous experiment, since it's a heck of a lot simpler, and doesn't require much more than a functioning pair of eyeballs. ;))

Post back with any discoveries you make, and we'll take it from there.
Moishe