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purirb123 · Feb 17, 2007, 01:33 PM

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

doug238 · Feb 17, 2007, 07:45 PM

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.

purirb123 · Feb 17, 2007, 08:21 PM

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.

doug238 · Feb 17, 2007, 08:25 PM

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.

purirb123 · Feb 18, 2007, 02:09 PM

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?

doug238 · Feb 18, 2007, 08:07 PM

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?

purirb123 · Feb 18, 2007, 08:21 PM

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.

doug238 · Feb 18, 2007, 08:24 PM

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

purirb123 · Feb 19, 2007, 08:38 PM

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