[jjohnson121]

We have a leak from a bathtub. We noticed it from the first floor as water was coming from a light fixture. We believe it happened when draining the tub from our daughters bath. We do not have an access panel on the other side of the bath fixtures. What do we do?

[hkstroud]

You should first attempt to determined where and when the leak occurs.

Close the drain and partially fill the tub and check for leaks.

If you have a leak it could be:
1. A cracked bathtub (very rare)
2. A leak between the drain flange and the tub (also rare)
3. A leak in the tub faucet piping.
If you suspect a leaking faucet recover plates
And look in wall for signs of water.


If you see no leak, fill the tub until water runs out the overflow.

If you have a leak it will most likely be the gasket between the overflow pipe and the tub.

If you have no leak open the tub and drain the water.

Check for leaks. If you have a leak it will be the drain piping.

If you have no leak turn on the water to the shower head. Point shower to center of tub so that no or minium water hits the walls. Insure that the shower door or curtain is closed and no water gets on the floor outside the tub.

A leak at this time would be where the shower arm screws into the ell fitting in the wall.

If you have no leak at this point turn the shower head so that water hits the wall as it might during normal use. A leak now would indicate leaking grout between the wall tiles.