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-   -   Wet ceiling (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=264592)

  • Sep 28, 2008, 08:50 AM
    dancer419
    Wet ceiling
    About a yr ago I noticed a wet spot in my livingroom ceiling. It was below the upstairs bathroom. It turned out to be a leak from the water line which I replaced and fixex the problem. This am I get up to find the same spot wet-some of the ceiling down and no water on the upstairs bathroom floo.
    In the mean time I have been workinf on the downstairs toilet for several weeks. I have replaced everything and I still get leaks from the tank when it fills up

    This is an older house with copper pipes and a roof about 5 yrs old
    Thanks
  • Sep 28, 2008, 08:56 AM
    Milo Dolezal

    If the wet spot appears in the same location as the previous leak, chances are your repair work needs touch up. That would be where I would start. However, the leak can be from the drain, P-trap, shower pan, gaps bet. Trip and tile, shower head threads...

    What's the frequency of the leak?
    Does it leak ONLY if shower in use or does it leak 24/7 ?
    Does it leak only "sometimes" ?
  • Sep 28, 2008, 09:38 AM
    dancer419
    It's in the same spot. I can not find on water on or around the toilet. I looked in the trap door next to the tub where there is copper pipes and pvc running under the floor to the toilet. It hasn't leaked sinced I fixed it before and as I said-that was the flexable water line from the pipt to the tank. All seems dry there now
  • Sep 28, 2008, 10:42 AM
    speedball1
    Milo's on the leak from the toilet. (Have you considered a ruptured wax seal?) so let me address your downstairs john.
    Quote:

    have been workinf on the downstairs toilet for several weeks. I have replaced everything and I still get leaks from the tank when it fills up
    Show me what you've replaced and where it's leaking from,(see image). Regards, Tom
  • Sep 28, 2008, 10:47 AM
    dancer419
    Everything in the picture as well as the seal when I pulled the toilet out.
    It's leaking from one of the tank screws-go figure. I've redone then several times so I wonder if there is a crack in the tank around the one screw since that's where it's leaking from
  • Sep 28, 2008, 10:49 AM
    dancer419
    Oh-there is no water around the base of the toilet so I think the wax seal is OK
  • Sep 28, 2008, 12:17 PM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    it's leaking from one of the tank screws-go figure. I've redone then several times so I wonder if there is a crack in the tank around the one screw since that's where it's leaking from
    Sure sounds like that might be the problem. Before I purchased a new tank. I would turn the water off to the tank and dip and sponge the water out and let it get goodand dry. Pull the tank bolt and look for a crack. If you find one then caulk it with epoxy. Note: Make very sure the crack's dry before you use the epoxy. You can dry it out with a hair dryer Let it set up and cure and see if the leaks all gone. Good luck, Tom
  • Sep 28, 2008, 12:20 PM
    Milo Dolezal

    Yes, you may have cracked the tank by overtightening the bolt. It happens. See if you can do what Tom suggests. If not, you will have to purchase new tank.
  • Sep 28, 2008, 12:24 PM
    dancer419
    Thanks guy's I'll do that but what should I do about the upstairs toilet . It's not wet anyplace and can't see anything leaking although I can't see very far. I have the water turned off
    To the upstairs toilet and will wait and see if the ceiling dries out-meam while-will use the downsairs one
  • Sep 28, 2008, 12:27 PM
    Milo Dolezal

    Is there a shower in proximity of the toilet ?
  • Sep 28, 2008, 12:34 PM
    dancer419
    Yes. There is a wall with an access panal between the shower and toilet. I looked in there and can see the stuff for the shower and tub. Nothing feels wet and I ran the shower and watched it and saw nothing. Can't see under the floor to see if something is leaking under the toilet. I can feel the hot and cold water pipes from the tub going under the floor towards the toilet but not enough to see if something is leaking

    Well-the ceiling started to get wet again so as it was dripping I just made a hole and looked . Lo and behold there was my upstairs bathroom. I see a pvc pipe and the hot and cold water pipes. I don't see anything leaking however.
    I believe there is a stack vent on the roof near the bathroom but that roof and the flanges were replaced 5 yrs ago. Only wondering about this since it's been raining off and on since yesterday
  • Sep 28, 2008, 05:15 PM
    mygirlsdad77

    Take a garden hose up on the roof and run water all over any vent terminations that are above your leak area. If you get water inside, you shoud re-tar all roof jacks and see if that helps. If its only leaking when its raining, this is most likely your problem. If not, let me know and we will go from there.
  • Sep 28, 2008, 05:45 PM
    dancer419
    Don't know if I can get on the roof-i'm an old 56 y old women. I'm pretty handy but climbing on roofs is not one of my things. So now I'm stuck-plumber or roofer
    I'll see if I can get a long enough ladder
  • Sep 28, 2008, 05:57 PM
    mygirlsdad77

    OK. Get a high pressure nozzle for your garden hose and just spray water on the roof around your vents. You should be able to do it from ground level. Just trying to simulate a rain storm. Hope this helps.
  • Sep 28, 2008, 06:50 PM
    dancer419

    Thanks! That I can do. Not raining anymore
    And not dripping. Will let you know
    Phyllis
  • Sep 28, 2008, 06:52 PM
    Milo Dolezal
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by dancer419 View Post
    don't know if i can get on the roof-i'm an old 56 y old women. i'm pretty handy but climbing on roofs is not one of my things. so now i'm stuck-plumber or roofer
    i'll see if i can get a long enough ladder

    56 is NOT old !
  • Sep 28, 2008, 07:03 PM
    dancer419
    Thanks-but with my knee that needs to be replaced I sometimes feel pretty old. Like I said-i am handy around the house but I really don't like heights. Stopped raining and no more drips although the sheetrock should be pretty full of water.
    Turned on the water again in the bathroom and nothing seems to be leaking there.
    Will work on downstairs bathroom this weekend
  • Sep 28, 2008, 07:06 PM
    Milo Dolezal

    If it leaks around roof-jack than it is easy fix. Get somebody able up on the roof, have him / her to inspect the roof-jack and possibly fix it right away. It is 5 minute job.
  • Sep 28, 2008, 07:09 PM
    dancer419

    Will spray it tomorrow and then call if it leaks-then I'll just need the hole in the ceiling fixed
  • Sep 28, 2008, 07:20 PM
    mygirlsdad77

    Sounds like you do very well for your (young) age. You are doing a good job trying to locate the problem. It will save you money in the long run. Even if you have to hire a plumber, or roofer, you have saved them the time of finding the problem. All they have to do is fix it.

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