Ask Me Help Desk - Tub, Sink, Shower Leak from upstair to downstair ceiling

Hi,

I am the homeowner of at 20 year old townhouse that leaks whenever water from the shower, sink, or tub is turned on in either of the 2 upstairs bathrooms. I have had all the tub drain components and shower heads replaced, but there is still a leak. The leak has left a water stain on the downstair ceiling. Also, I noticed by bathtub in now beginning to squeak. Does anyone have any idea what is causes this leak?

How much drainage was replaced? The trap in the sink? The actual tub drain in the tub and the trap that hooked to that. How close is the drainage to outside walls?

So far it sounds like a drainage pipe in the ceiling itself. It might have froze and weakened a joint. The main drainage is the common factor in the ceiling that the sink and tub go too. Does it leak when toilet is flushed?
The bath tub squeaked could be indicative of the sub floor getting wet under the tub and expanding the wood . A plywood buckle cloud be rubbing underneath the tub when you get in.
More info would be some help please

Quote:

Originally Posted by 21boat

How much drainage was replaced? The trap in the sink? The actual tub drain in the tub and the trap that hooked to that.? How close is the drainage to outside walls?

So far it sounds like a drainage pipe in the ceiling itself. It might have froze and weakened a joint. The main drainage is the common factor in the ceiling that the sink and tub go too. Does it leak when toilet is flushed?
The bath tub squeaked could be indicative of the sub floor getting wet under the tub and expanding the wood . A plywood buckle cloud be rubbing underneath the tub when you get in.
More info would be some help please

Thanks so much for responding. The tub drain was replaced. It seemed as if after I paid a plumber to look at the leak, 8 months later the sink and shower in my daughter's room began to contribute to the original leak that started in my bathroom. The toilet does not leak and I have not had any problems with it. The tub never squeaked until about 4 months ago. Now I noticed that it squeeks more and more. I can hear the water tapping on the ceiling when I am downstairs. Once the shower or sinks runs for about 5-7 minutes the tapping of water goes away. Now I have a huge water stain on my ceiling approximately where the bathroom is, but in the opposite direction. How can I tell if the floor needs to be repaired. I haven't seen any water seeping from the tub or anything.
Again thanks so much, and please let me know your opinion about my problem.

Great! By accident you just gave me the clue here I needed the secret words were.
Once the shower or sinks runs for about 5-7 minutes the tapping of water goes away
Lets see if a little water deductive works here to explain the leak on leak off.
You have a very small leak on the water line right above or beside the joist bay that's slow enough to gradually get the sub floor wet and saturated that slowly then swelling and that will now create the squeak by buckling the floor lose. After that floor was saturated enough you got a very little drip on the ceiling. Now the water up stairs is turned on and the pressure on the tiny leak was less or virtually stooped leaking on sub floor. Now its not getting water on top of the sub floor and it takes about 5 to 7 min for that to show up at the ceiling side that for now its stopped leaking. Now if you reverse that shut off the water upstairs and the leak sound in the ceiling starts up BINGO!
A drainage line can not produce that change it would get worse in the leak not stop while water is being run. I say and stick with pipe ad pressure changed. My explanation would fit the changes and situation. Did any pipes freeze at all or was it really cold if so that's a catalyst. Now find a water stain in the ceiling and open it up there and chase it. I just had a ceiling water leak yesterday. I could be wrong but basic science points to this explanation On a side note if a ceiling gets real wet its stained and actually shot so nothing lost but a lot gained buy ripping it out to repair anyhow its just hard for people to jump the hurdle Let me know how it goes.

Signed 21 Boat

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 21boat

Great! by accident you just gave me the clue here I needed the secret words were.
Once the shower or sinks runs for about 5-7 minutes the tapping of water goes away
Lets see if a little water deductive works here to explain the leak on leak off.
You have a very small leak on the water line right above or beside the joist bay thats slow enough to gradually get the sub floor wet and saturated that slowly then swelling and that will now create the squeak by buckling the floor lose. After that floor was saturated enough you got a very little drip on the ceiling. Now the water up stairs is turned on and the pressure on the tiny leak was less or virtually stooped leaking on sub floor. Now its not getting water on top of the sub floor and it takes about 5 to 7 min for that to show up at the ceiling side that for now its stopped leaking. Now if you reverse that shut off the water upstairs and the leak sound in the ceiling starts up BINGO!
A drainage line can not produce that change it would get worse in the leak not stop while water is being run. I say and stick with pipe ad pressure changed. My explanation would fit the changes and situation. Did any pipes freeze at all or was it really cold if so thats a catalyst. Now find a water stain in the ceiling and open it up there and chase it. I just had a ceiling water leak yesterday. I could be wrong but basic science points to this explanation On a side note if a ceiling gets real wet its stained and actually shot so nothing lost but a lot gained buy ripping it out to repair anyhow its just hard for people to jump the hurdle Let me know how it goes.

Signed 21 Boat

If I helped to Answer you Question Please Rate my Answer

Wow! You are incredible. I will plan to have a plumber look at the leak but, your great support really increased my knowledge base. I feel better now that I have some idea what is going on. Previously I paid $650 for a plumber and the leak came back later, not to mention having to replaster my ceiling. Again, I appreciate your resourcefulness and I will update you with what the plumber says.

THANKS SO VERY MUCH! I rated your answer EXCELLENT!