I have this townhouse for last 20 years. From the day I bought the house I have seen 3/4 times a year ceiling leaks in the dining area. There are two bathrooms upstairs. Here is the repairt history -

I had got tiles of the master bathroom redone in 1995 based on a plumber recommendation. The ceiling still leaked very few times even if there is no one taking shower etc. The leak is at random not related to bathroom leak seems. Frustrated I had ceiling cut and did not see any traces of water in the pipes above the ceiling. Now the leak again happened after 6 months we called plumber he said get the tiles/tub re-caulk and grout for the second batroom also. I paid $800 for the first bathroom to redo tiles and that did not fix problem, spent $300 to cut ceilng and did not find any clue of leak in pipes. Now, this recaulking of tiles upstarirs will cost a fortune to us. We are also not sure if this will fix the problem.

Any hints by anyone?

Thanks

Ceiling leaks are caused by many things but the more common are splashes from a tub or shower, a leak behind or under a toilet, an overflow on the tub that is not sealed well, leaks around tub faucets or handles or loose trim pieces, a shower pan that is failing, a shower drain leak from a flexed shower floor, a toilet overflow, or a leak in the vanity or under the lavatory.
From the frequency of your leaks I would say that you are causing them. Fill the tub to overflow so you can check the overflow connection at the tub. Look for water on the floor after a shower from an open door or a gap under a shower door or an open shower curtain. Test a shower enclosure by getting in the shower and spraying the walls and door with splash. Peek under the lavatory and behind the toilet.

So what you saying it is likely from shower tiles or grout failing? This the first thing we should work on to narrow down the problem. Like it happens sometime I guess if it was pipe leak it will be a lot and water will be all over.

So what you saying it is likely from shower tiles or grout failing?
no. I am saying that it is likely something you are doing differently. I am leaning more towards a splash or spill.

I filled the tub to the top and saw no splash at overflwo connection. Fortunately, I have an access panel to ss thai. There is no splash under or around lavatory. I was wodering it cold be a crack around the ring at the drain - but that should give me leak all the time. This happens only a few times in a year at random and not major. I still need to fix to rent by city rental inspection unit. To fix grout in tiles will mean reaplacing them?

I have not heard from you that the tile was in a state of disrepair. Does the tile appear to be in a state of disrepair? Are the tile walls mushy to the touch? Is tile falling out?

No tiles look just fine, I caulked around the tub edges two months back. Only thing can be done is takeout the tiles and redo - a big expense. But don't know if this will fix leak.

Try for an inspection on your property, see if they ask you to make any changes.

The house has passed inspection but problem needs to be fixed as ceiling leaks sometime.