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    tiphaniedg's Avatar
    tiphaniedg Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Dec 21, 2010, 05:28 PM
    Running Water from Under my tub.
    My home was built in the late 60's on a concrete slab. Water is running from underneath my bathtub. When I take a bath and let the water drain, the whole tub drains on the floor. Also, when showering the water drains completely on the floor from underneath the tub. I have had plumbers come out, one said that I would have to have the house re-piped. It's an old house so I'm sure I will at one point or another. However, I can't afford that now. The other plumber said that a pipe was turned in the wrong direction. The third plumber said something different. I am not sure who to believe. How do I check myself to find out what is really going on with my plumbing. I don't mind hiring someone to do the job. I just can't afford to pay for work that is not needed.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Dec 21, 2010, 05:57 PM

    Did any of them find a way of actually looking under the tub? How long ago did this problem start? Sorry for the quwestions but we'll get to an answer soon as you get back to me
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #3

    Dec 21, 2010, 08:11 PM
    Since you are on a slab, you have to cut an access into the wall where the plumbing is located. Hopefully this is in a closet or other accessible area. After that, you should be able to see what is causing the leak. Does the tub leak when not draining? i.e. filled with water? Since it appears to leak while draining, my guess would be a broken or corroded fitting or pipe for the tub drain. If you can get access, this should not be a big fix unless the piping is badly deteriorated.
    tiphaniedg's Avatar
    tiphaniedg Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Dec 22, 2010, 07:02 AM
    It only happens when water is draining. And, not one of them found a way to look under the tub. The problem started 9 months ago. I have 2 bathrooms in the house so I just use the other one until the problem is fixed.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #5

    Dec 22, 2010, 02:53 PM

    So I am left wondering how they thought the pipe was pointing the wrong way or that it all needs to be repiped if they never saw the pipe. What is behind the wall where the faucets are mounted, maybe a closet?
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #6

    Dec 22, 2010, 03:07 PM
    Well, if it only leaks when draining, it has to be in the drain side, not the supply. I'll ask the same basic question Bob did, what's behind the wall on the drain/supply side? You don't necessarily have to get under the tub but you do need to see the drain system. Hopefully it's not an outside wall because that bodes badly for a frozen trap that cracked. Maybe your plumbers are magicians with X-Ray vision but we don't have that sense.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #7

    Dec 22, 2010, 06:01 PM

    I'm on board with these guys, Tiphanieg...

    It is a simple job to cut an access panel in at the tub waste end and use a flashlight to observe exactly what the problem is.

    Then you just purchase a spring-loaded SNAP IN access panel at home depot for about $10.00 and patch the wall permanently leaving the access panel ready for removal when the plumber comes by to fix the problem YOU find... ;)

    See image below of the spring-loaded SNAP IN access panel... it can be painted or even wall papered if needed.

    Mark
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