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robinmj · May 17, 2009, 03:49 PM

After taking a shower, we noticed a leak in the kitchen ceiling. The leak is not directly under the upstairs bathroom though. The shower and bathroom in question is relatively new, only 2 years old. Where do we begin searching for the leak ? The shower has tile walls and a fiberglass pan on the bottom. I don't want to tear into the bathroom walls. I'd rather tear up the kitchen ceiling, which we were going to redo anyway.

Milo Dolezal · May 17, 2009, 04:18 PM

It would be good idea to cut a port hole in your ceiling and observe with flash light where from is the leak coming from. Leak can be from the shower drain, shower pan, shower door/curtain, or shower head. It could also be from toilet. Also, water travels - so the actual leak may be few feet away and show in different location on the ceiling as a drip.

If it is a pressure leak it will leak all the time, 24/7. If it is drain leak or shower riser/shower head leak, will leak only when under pressure or shower in use.

1. Inspect around toilet for wetness
2. Go to the shower, plug the drain and fill it with water. Let it stand. Go downstairs and observe if it leaks. Give it some time. If no leak than unplug the drain.
3. Remove shower head and plug shower are with 1/2" galvanized plug. Turn water on. Give it few minutes. See if you have leak.
4. If no leak, have somebody to take test-shower and you watch the ceiling ( or through the hole) for leaks.

Use flash light. Light reflects in water so leak will be easily detectable. Also, follow the stream to its source.

Good luck locating the leak... Please, let us know what you've found out... Thanks... Milo

robinmj · May 17, 2009, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

It would be good idea to cut a port hole in your ceiling and observe with flash light where from is the leak coming from. Leak can be from the shower drain, shower pan, shower door/curtain, or shower head. It could also be from toilet. Also, water travels - so the actual leak may be few feet away and show in different location on the ceiling as a drip.

If it is a pressure leak it will leak all the time, 24/7. If it is drain leak or shower riser/shower head leak, will leak only when under pressure or shower in use.

1. Inspect around toilet for wetness
2. Go to the shower, plug the drain and fill it with water. Let it stand. Go downstairs and observe if it leaks. Give it some time. If no leak than unplug the drain.
3. Remove shower head and plug shower are with 1/2" galvanized plug. Turn water on. Give it few minutes. See if you have leak.
4. If no leak, have somebody to take test-shower and you watch the ceiling ( or through the hole) for leaks.

Use flash light. Light reflects in water so leak will be easily detectable. Also, follow the stream to its source.

Good luck locating the leak...Please, let us know what you've found out....Thanks....Milo

I poured about 3 gallons of water, directly into the drain hole, and there was no leak downstairs. Does that narrow down the mystery ?

Milo Dolezal · May 17, 2009, 05:15 PM

No, it does not narrow it down... Was the drain plugged or open?

It may take few minutes for the leak to show... you have to leave water ON continuously or plug the drain.

robinmj · May 17, 2009, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

No, it does not narrow it down...Was the drain plugged or open?

It may take few minutes for the leak to show....you have to leave water ON continuously or plug the drain.

Drain was open

Milo Dolezal · May 17, 2009, 06:27 PM

Ok run water with open drain. Make sure shower head points away from the walls , directly on the pan. Let it run for 10 minutes. Wait few more minutes. See if water starts dripping from the ceiling.

If not, then plug the drain, fill it with water to the rim. Leave it there for 1/2 hour. See if water starts dripping from the ceiling.

robinmj · May 17, 2009, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Ok run water with open drain. Make sure shower head points away from the walls , directly on the pan. Let it run for 10 minutes. Wait few more minutes. See if water starts dripping from the ceiling.

If not, then plug the drain, fill it with water to the rim. Leave it there for 1/2 hour. See if water starts dripping from the ceiling.

Ok. Ran water for 10 minutes with open drain. Waited 5 more minutes, no leak. Now I plugged drain, filled basin and am waiting... waiting... waiting. Will let you know if I still have leak.

robinmj · May 17, 2009, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by robinmj

Ok. Ran water for 10 minutes with open drain. Waited 5 more minutes, no leak. Now I plugged drain, filled basin and am waiting...waiting...waiting. Will let you know if I still have leak.

Ok, after 1/2 hour of the basin being filled, no leak. Now what ? What could the problem be ? The house is 30 years old. Could it be a pipe in the floor, between the 1st and 2nd floors ?

Milo Dolezal · May 17, 2009, 07:41 PM

Ok, remove shower head and plug shower arm with 1/2" plug. Turn on Hot and Cold water for 10 minutes. Wait few more minutes for leak appear on the ceiling.

robinmj · May 17, 2009, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Ok, remove shower head and plug shower arm with 1/2" plug. Turn on Hot and Cold water for 10 minutes. Wait few more minutes for leak appear on the ceiling.

Easier said, then done. I can't remove shower head. I will have to call in a professional. What do you think it is ?

Milo Dolezal · May 17, 2009, 07:52 PM

Shower head attaches to shower arm. You need channel locks to unscrew it. Sometimes it even goes by hand. Try it. It should turn CCW.

Now, closely inspect tiles and corners of your shower for missing grout and cracked tiles. If you see large void in tile run water against that crack for few minutes. See if the leak shows downstairs.

robinmj · May 17, 2009, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Shower head attaches to shower arm. You need channel locks to unscrew it. Sometimes it even goes by hand. Try it. It should turn CCW.

Now, closely inspect tiles and corners of your shower for missing grout and cracked tiles. If you see large void in tile run water against that crack for few minutes. See if the leak shows downstairs.

The bathroom is new, no loose tile or missing grout. I can't get into removing the arm. Do you have any idea what the problem might be ?

Milo Dolezal · May 17, 2009, 08:30 PM

Well, we had no leak so far. Maybe it is not even coming from shower. Wait for another leak. Try to remember what plumbing fixture was used right before the leak and go check it out. Or cut open the ceiling while it is leaking. You will see right away...