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SAHM_n_WIFE · Mar 4, 2008, 12:00 PM

I am at a loss and sure hope I can find a little help.

In early January we had a slab leak just under the masterbath. We broke out the foundation and fixed the leak. With the bathroom destroyed we decided to do some upgrading. We had a standard 5X3 "plastic" shower with a single head and center drain. We tore that out and ran a 2nd head. We put in a plastic shower pan and then floor to ceiling slate. Fastforward to Monday... we finally get the fixtures in place and take our first shower only to discover it is leaking.

We did a leak test on all of the copper and the drain before the tile went up. I don't think the leak is from loose grout as it was just installed on a thick mud wall.

Yesterday we resealed the drain and crossed our fingers. I just checked and the shower is still leaking. It only leaks when the shower is on, ruling out the supply line.

How do I find the leak? I can't see anything in the walls when I remove the fixtures, the holes are too tight. I just repainted the bedroom walls so I really, really, really don't want to cut open the walls if I can help it.

We are not handy and my husband is at the end of his rope with this thing. We live in a remote area and can't afford to call a pro.

Thoughts? Ideas? Prayers? All are welcome.

Amy

hkstroud · Mar 4, 2008, 03:10 PM

Pull that escutcheon around the shower arm away from the wall and look in there.

ballengerb1 · Mar 4, 2008, 03:11 PM

Lets check to see if your leak is at the shower mixing valve or the pipe that goes to the shower head. Remove the escutcheon plate that covers the valve. You should have a small amountof room to work inside. Reach in and lay strips of toilet paper around the pipe above and below the valve and even all around the valve, neatness does not count. Turn the shower on and watch to see if the toilet paper gets wet right away. Come back when you are done.

SAHM_n_WIFE · Mar 4, 2008, 06:56 PM

I plugged up the drain in the shower pan and filled it with water from my garden hose, It held water fine. When I drained the water the leak started. I have not run the shower in at least 10 hours, telling me my drain is the problem.

I have a shower pan on a slab foundation. Three walls are covered in slate tile. What do I do now?

ballengerb1 · Mar 4, 2008, 07:17 PM

OK you have pinned down the leak to the drain. Is this a fiberglass pan or a what do you have. Did you do your own installation of the shower and the drain?

SAHM_n_WIFE · Mar 4, 2008, 07:36 PM

We did install the pan. It is a fiberglass pan. We put it over the pre-existing drain.

I should also mention that we have noticed the grout changing colors on the lower part of the wall in the direction the water is traveling. I will attach a photo.

Just to be cautious, I put the toilet paper in the holes as suggested and it remained dry.

ballengerb1 · Mar 4, 2008, 07:50 PM

How did you make your water tight seal between the new shower drain and the existing drain pipe in the slab? The staining may just be iron in your water. You already did a nice job of pinning the leak down to the drain assembly.

SAHM_n_WIFE · Mar 4, 2008, 07:54 PM

We followed the instructions and put a bead of 100% silicone on the underside of the fitting as well as on top of the top ring.

We have very hard water. We sealed the grout. Would this still stain?

ballengerb1 · Mar 4, 2008, 07:59 PM

I'm not sure about your grout staining but I think it has nothing to do with your issue. You may have followed the instruction but not well enough. What brand of shower pan did you buy? I use Swanstone but Mustee, Lasco and many other good brands are out there. I will try to look up your drain installation instructions. Was there a 2" PVC pipe sticking up into the new shower drain?

SAHM_n_WIFE · Mar 4, 2008, 08:05 PM

We used a Lasco pan and yes, a 2 inch drain is in the center.