[littlemama24]

We are having a debate as to what is causing the leak in our second flr bath that is leaking into the downstairs bath. The leak has been slow but has been going on for some time. My DH thinks it is a crack in the caulking that is causing the water to drip down into the ceiling. I think we have a slow leak in the pipes. Today the leak is so bad that water is actually dripping through the ceiling. At this point we have got to fix the problem. I just want to make sure that we fix the right problem.
Any ideas?

[twinkiedooter]

It's the pipes. The water leaking from pipes will ultimately be the culprit. For it to be leaking through a ceiling is going to be a not so easy repair. Better do it now before the whole ceiling falls down and really causes extensive damage. Shut the water to the house off if you can before MORE damage is done.

[massplumber2008]

Hi all:

Littlemama... you need to work at this in little pieces. You want to eliminate the easy things you can get to, first. Does this happen during showers only? Does this happen when tub used as well?

To start... if there is an access panel behind the bath, open that up and see what is going on in there. Run the tub and shower and see what you can find.

If no access panel, If single handle tub/shower valve, remove the handle and chrome face plate to shower valve (if two or more handles, remove the handles and the chrome covers and plates) and slide the chrome flange at the shower head down the shower arm. Now, run the tub and shower valve and use strong flashlight to look at pipes/fittings behind wall... look down behind wall as much as you can. If multi handle valve, just observe what you can from the exposed valve... packing nuts leak heavily sometimes.

Next step would be to open up an access panel behind the tub/shower if you can... see from there...

To finish, If DH thinks caulking will fix things....then caulk away. Can't hurt anything. Have him use a hair dryer to dry the area of moisture.. then apply a rubbing alcohol to area.. let that dry and then caulk or regrout as needed (caulking should be a mildew resistant type of caulking).

That is where you start... let us know what you discover as you go... Mark

[littlemama24]

We did cut an access panel. Ran everything and no leak. We did this both with shower and with just the tub faucet. Also there is no evidence that there is a leak it that area, no mold or wet boards etc. So I think that he might have something when he says it is not the pipes.
We think at this point what has happened is that the water is running down the side of the shower and slowly leaking through one of the base boards.. We have purchased a splash guard and are going to re caulk everything.
We will know more when we start removing the sheet rock in the ceiling.

Thanks for the info. I still welcome more advice.

[speedball1]

Follow Marks advice and give special attention to the spotwhere the shower stream hits the tile wall. Good luck, tom