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    Teresia's Avatar
    Teresia Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 2, 2009, 06:33 AM
    Leak in tub ceiling on lower level
    I have a line of small drips coming through ceiling above tub in lower level bathroom. Directly above is 2nd floor bathroom. I can find no evidence of water leaking upstairs.
    I have checked toilet and vanity and have found no water leaking. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks, Teresia
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #2

    Aug 2, 2009, 07:01 AM

    If you have a tub in the upper bath you should have an access hole in other side of the wall where the tub faucet is. Remove the panel and look there for signs of water.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #3

    Aug 2, 2009, 07:29 AM
    Hi Teresia,
    If, after opening the access panel you find moisture at the base of thetub shoe/drain, (see image ) then you have a ruptured drain seal and you will have to take a tub tool/dumbbell ,(see image), remove the drain and fashion a new seal out of plumbers putty or Silicon Jel.

    Now, if you don't see any moisture around the trap or drain check where the shower stream hits the tile. If you have a tile wall the grout can shrink allowing the water to run behind the tub. Let me know what you find out.
    Good luck, Tom
    Teresia's Avatar
    Teresia Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Aug 2, 2009, 07:30 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by hkstroud View Post
    If you have a tub in the upper bath you should have an access hole in other side of the wall where the tub faucet is. Remove the panel and look there for signs of water.
    I already checked there and no signs of water. It leaks contantly so when I turned water off to toilet it did not help. We thought it might be seal around toilet. The vanity and toilet are what is right about tub on first floor where the leak is. The vanity upstairs has had the peatrap
    Replaced wit PVC in the last 5 years.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #5

    Aug 2, 2009, 07:48 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Teresia View Post
    It leaks contantly
    Do you really mean that? Like all the time?
    Teresia's Avatar
    Teresia Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Aug 2, 2009, 07:56 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by hkstroud View Post
    Do you really mean that? Like all the time?
    Yes, turning off the water to toilet did not stop it from leaking. I has had a stady drip since Thursday. Luckily it is dripping into tub on lower level. Am wonderingif it is in a pipe that has contant pressure in it?:confused:
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
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    #7

    Aug 2, 2009, 08:17 AM

    Yes, it certainly sounds like it. It could be a leak at a solder joint but more likely it's a pin hole or pin size hole in the pipe. This happens in copper pipe, for reasons that have been argued about for some time.

    You should go ahead an open up the ceiling and see what is happening, figure which pipe it is and turn the water off. Substantial damage to the ceiling can occur quickly if this continues. Assuming that it is a pin hole in the pipe, the leak can be stopped easily with a repair coupling if you can solder.

    However, if it is a pin hole in the pipe, you should replace all the pipe that is reasonably accessible. If you have one pin hole leak in one place, you are probably going to get another some where else.

    When I say knock a hole in the ceiling now and turn the water off, I mean NOW.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #8

    Aug 2, 2009, 08:35 AM
    If you open up the ceiling make a square hole and save and dry out the piece you cut out. When your leak's repaired you may then tape the square back up and spackle the repair before you paint it. Good luck, Tom
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