[waterleak]

I installed a new shower head two years ago. I am now have water damage in my ceiling below my bathroom. I have called my maintenance person twice for this problem. The first time he calked around my bath tub and water fixtures in the shower. This time he is saying that the shower head has caused the damage. Could installing a new shower head really do this?

[Alty]

Anytime something like a faucet, new toilet, new shower head, is installed, there's room for error. I'm not by any means a plumbing expert, but I've had the same issue you're having now.

My husband installed a new tap in the kitchen a year ago. Because of improper installation I now have a 3' by 5 foot hole in my ceiling downstairs, due to water damage, all caused by the upstairs tap.

So yes, this could be because of the shower head and improper installation. But that's just a guess.

We have great plumbing experts on this site, so keep checking to see if they've answered. Like I said, I'm by no means a plumbing expert. Not even a little bit.

Good luck.

[ma0641]

It is possible but somewhat unlikely being the install was 2 years ago. Although the fitting is under very little pressure there are soldered or cemented joints in the piping. I would guess more likely a leaking trap or a stem in the shower valve, possible a tub spout or drain fitting or where the shower extension pipe connects to the drop ear. Look at the shower arm and see if you can carefully slide the escutcheon plate down the arm. Turn the water for the shower on and see if you can see any water leaking around the fitting which is right behind the wall. If none, I do not see the issue. If yes, you will have to remove the arm and install new teflon tape or try to tighten it 1 turn-not likely. That is one issue doing DIY installs in an apartment. Better to give them the part and let them install or do without.

[hkstroud]

If you installed an new shower arm in the process of installing the shower head, the maintenance man could be right. In fact he could be right even if you didn't install a new shower arm. Some times stuff just happens. Two years is a long time for a leak to show up but if it is a small leak it might take that long. It all depends on how often the shower is used. If the shower head is the pulsating type you are more prone to having a leak where the shower arm screws into the drop ell in the wall.
The real question is do you have a leak. If you do, it will be where the shower arm screws into the drop ell.
Do you have an access panel on the other side of the shower wall? If you do open it and look for signs of water from above.

Stop by Home Depot, Lowe's or a hardware store and purchase 1/2" threaded pipe cap. Pipe cap can be iron or PVC. Remove the shower head from the shower arm. Remove the escutcheon from around the shower arm. Screw on the pipe cap. Turn on water to shower head. Look inside the wall through the hole for the shower arm. If necessary open up the hole round the shower arm. Do you see a leak. You can leave water turn on for a period to make sure.
If you find a leak, remove the shower arm, coat with generous coat of pipe joint compound and reinstall.

Repeat process of checking for leak.