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    witsue's Avatar
    witsue Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jul 24, 2009, 08:47 AM
    Clogged drain test?
    I live in a condo, and have noticed small amount of water leaking from my shower lighting. I with the owner of the condo above me have tried to run the different water sources to see if we can see when the leaking into my bathroom may be happening. Could not find anything. The pluming runs between the floors with no real good access. Is there a test that we or a plummer can do that would definitely point out if there was a clog in one of the pipes?
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #2

    Jul 24, 2009, 09:52 AM

    A camera can be placed down te drain.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jul 24, 2009, 10:15 AM
    Hi Witsue...

    Are you looking for a clogged drain or a leak here..?

    If you are looking for a leak then you will want to start by having your neighbor fill a 5 gallon bucket with water from the kitchen sink and then pour 5-10 gallons of water down the drain WITHOUT running water from the shower. If water drips downstairs then you can be sure the leak is restricted to the drain.

    If you determine that the drain is leaking then the next day you will want to have your neighbor stuff some socks into a plastic bag and force it down into the shower drain. Then run the shower until you have 2-3" of water in the shower base. If water shows up downstairs again then the leak is most likely going to be at the shower STRAINER connection. You would need to open the ceiling to fix this.

    If the strainer test doesn't show anything then it is possible that there is a leak in the drain pipe... easiest to open the ceiling and check it out... ;) They sell access panels to cover the hole without having to patch the ceiling right away.

    If none of these test reveal anything then you will want to remove the handle and the trim plate from around the shower and then run the shower and see if you can see anything leaking behind the wall... check to see if water is running down from the shower to the valve, etc. Use a strong flashlight and check all well. Obviously, if you have an access panel it is a good idea to check for leaks from the access panel~~

    Finally, double check that water is not getting by the shower curtain the shower door or could even be a tile issue if tile is present.

    Anyway, these are the tests I would perform. Start with these and let us know what you discover...

    MARK
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #4

    Jul 24, 2009, 05:20 PM

    Remove the light and look inside the ceiling. You should be able to see where is the leak coming from. If we cannot see good, we also use regular small picture camera with movie option. We put drop-light inside, record 360 degree view and than review it.
    witsue's Avatar
    witsue Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Jul 30, 2009, 08:10 AM
    Not sure. Thinking clog due to our inability to conclude when the leak is happening. Leaving us to assume to think it is draining slowly through a clog and maybe dripping from the point of the clog?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #6

    Jul 30, 2009, 09:02 AM
    Hey Witsue...

    Did you read my post? The information in that post should help you to isolate the leak to its origin. We can't do much without more info.

    Otherwise, give Milo's suggestion a try... ;)



    MARK
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #7

    Jul 31, 2009, 04:43 AM
    Hey Sue,
    Follow Marks instructions and get back to us with the results.
    One of the things Mark touched on was.
    Finally, double check that water is not getting by the shower curtain the shower door or could even be a tile issue if tile is present.
    If everything checks out OK then check the tile grout where the shower stream hits the tile wall. Over time the tile grout can shrink allowing water to leak on past the tiles and run down outside the shower pan.
    Just one more thing for you to check. Good luck, Tom
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