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-   -   How can I determine the source of a second floor bathroom leak ? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=492154)

  • Jul 26, 2010, 04:34 PM
    jambos_pricness
    How can I determine the source of a second floor bathroom leak ?
    I have a second floor bathroom and when soemone is showering water has begun pouring out of the air vent on the first flooor, under the bathroom. I recently had a pipe burst between the floors during a freeze and had to have everything torn out and redone. I would like to correct this witohut tearing out the ceiling again and going through those repairs if necessary.

    During that time, the plumber who came and fixed my pipe checked the upstairs drain and told me there was no problem with it prior to finding the burst pipe. Since we have moved back into our home (the entire first floor was flooded and completely gutted) this new water leak began within the past two days.

    What could be causing this and is it something I may can repair without having to tear out the ceiling to find?
  • Jul 26, 2010, 05:09 PM
    speedball1

    Quote:
    I have a second floor bathroom and when soemone is showering water has begun pouring out of the air vent on the first flooor, under the bathroom
    No leakage when just the tub is used correct?
    This narrows down the problem.
    It's either as leak in the shower raiser or the tile grout has shrunk over time allowing water to leak past the tile and past the floor.
    My bet's on door number two.
    If there's a access panel behind the tub open it up and run the shower. If no water comes dripping down then I would give a good hard look at the tile wall where the stream hits. Good luck, Tom
  • Jul 26, 2010, 06:35 PM
    hkstroud

    Purchase one of those flat rubber drain stoppers, about 3" diameter you often see used in laundry sinks.
    Use that to stop the shower drain. Fill the shower pan with water. Do not use the shower head. Use a bucket and get water from some where else. Your are going to test the drain lines. You don't want use the water supply lines to confuse you.
    After filling the shower pan wait to see if you have a leak.

    If you don't have a leak you will know that the pan is OK.
    Pull the plug and let the water drain. If you don't have a leak you will know that the drain pipe itself is OK. If you have a leak you will know that it is either a joint in the drain pipe or it is where the drain connects to the shower pan.
    If you don't have a leak, plug the drain and fill the pan again. This time get in the shower, pull the plug and walk around. If you have a leak this time, it will be where the drain connects to the shower pan.

    If you have the type of shower head that screws on to the shower arm coming out of the wall, purchase a 1/2" pipe cap.
    Remove the shower head and screw the pipe cap onto the shower arm. Turn the water on. Pull the escutcheon around the shower arm away from the wall and look in the hole around the shower arm to see if there is any sign of water. If you have an access panel on the other side of the shower wall remove it and look for water around the shower valve.

    If you do not have an access panel remove the faucet handles and all the trim work. Using a flashlight, look in the wall for signs of water.

    If you don't find any leak in the supply piping or valve the leak is most likely through the tile grouting.

    When you know where the leak is occurring, you will know what has to be done to correct it.

    Edit
    I am assuming a shower, Tom is assuming a tub.
  • Jul 27, 2010, 02:27 PM
    jambos_pricness
    It is actually an entire unit and there is no access panel or tile work. I will try this and come back begging you both for more help with what I find. Thanks!


    Quote:
    Originally Posted by hkstroud View Post
    Purchase one of those flat rubber drain stoppers, about 3" diameter you often see used in laundry sinks.
    Use that to stop the shower drain. Fill the shower pan with water. Do not use the shower head. Use a bucket and get water from some where else. Your are going to test the drain lines. You don't want use the water supply lines to confuse you.
    After filling the shower pan wait to see if you have a leak.

    If you don't have a leak you will know that the pan is OK.
    Pull the plug and let the water drain. If you don't have a leak you will know that the drain pipe itself is OK. If you have a leak you will know that it is either a joint in the drain pipe or it is where the drain connects to the shower pan.
    If you don't have a leak, plug the drain and fill the pan again. This time get in the shower, pull the plug and walk around. If you have a leak this time, it will be where the drain connects to the shower pan.

    If you have the type of shower head that screws on to the shower arm coming out of the wall, purchase a 1/2" pipe cap.
    Remove the shower head and screw the pipe cap onto the shower arm. Turn the water on. Pull the escutcheon around the shower arm away from the wall and look in the hole around the shower arm to see if there is any sign of water. If you have an access panel on the other side of the shower wall remove it and look for water around the shower valve.

    If you do not have an access panel remove the faucet handles and all the trim work. Using a flashlight, look in the wall for signs of water.

    If you don't find any leak in the supply piping or valve the leak is most likely through the tile grouting.

    When you know where the leak is occurring, you will know what has to be done to correct it.

    Edit
    I am assuming a shower, Tom is assuming a tub.
    As far as I can tell there is no leaking when the tub is used. The person only took showers or had the faucet on when we noticed, but never stopped the tub up, which they had done the prioir weekend. There is no tile work, it is actually one big unit and no access panel. Now for you to see how dumb I am... what is a shower raiser? Thanks!


    Quote:
    Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    No leakage when just the tub is used correct?
    This narrows down the problem.
    It's either as leak in the shower raiser or the tile grout has shrunk over time allowing water to leak past the tile and past the floor.
    My bet's on door number two.
    If there's a access panel behind the tub open it up and run the shower. If no water comes dripping down then I would give a good hard look at the tile wall where the stream hits. Good luck, Tom
  • Jul 27, 2010, 04:25 PM
    speedball1

    Quote:
    what is a shower raiser?
    A shower raiser ism 6the pipe that runs from the top 9of the shower valve to the shower head.
    Is there any water outside the shower on the floor after he showers? Have you followed Harolds advice and removed the face plate, ran the shower and checked for moisture coning down the shower raiser and soaking the valve? Let me know, Tom

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