[Bruce Abrahams]

We noticed in our bathroom shower (built about 2 years ago) a wet spot (see attachment). This was noticed in the morning so the everything else is dry except that area and the faucet is not leaking. It is so frustrating after the money we spent.

The area with the arrow is actually wet and as I remove my finger after touching it, my finger is wet (not damp or moist).

I am not a builder or handyman. I know I will have to call a plumber (I assume) but hearing ideas of possible problems could help me decide who to hire when I ask what they think the problem is.

Thank you for your time.

-Bruce

[hkstroud]

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[speedball1]

Hey Bruce, As Harold pointed out the hole should be caulked and closed off. What bothers me is that water's seems to be coming out of the hole. We make allowances for seepage that gets under the tile. The shower flange has weep holes that allow any moisture that may leak down through the mortar to run back into the drain. Sometimes a lazy tile man will allow mortar to clog the weep holes. If that's the case water could build up in the shower pan and leak out the hole on to the shower floor.
Another possibility could be a small leak in the shower valve. Where's the shower valve in relation to the wet spot? It wouldn't necessarily have to be on the same side if it leaked past the lip of the shower pan down into it. Then, if the weep holes were clogged, it would build up and run out the hole where it could be seen. In any case the leak's contained by the shower pan and should'nt run out on your floor or soak your ceiling. Regards and let us know what the plumber says. Tom

[Milo Dolezal]

1. Your shower pan should have drain with weep holes in it. If it doesn't, there is no outlet for condensation that happens between your tile under-layment (concrete) and shower pan. If your shower pan lacks proper run off, water accumulates and eventually shows in form of a wet spot.
2. That hole in the grout certainly shouldn't be there - but should not be a problem - or causing that wet spot - if you used proper drain during your shower remodel. The hot mop ( or any other water-proof barrier you installed ) should reach 12" above your shower floor. Even if water gets in through that hole, it would travel under the concrete using shower pan all the way to the drain.

[ballengerb1]

Some good posts and Harold once again has done a good job with graphics. I'd make one tiny little change to Harold's recommendation. Caulk yes, grout no. We grout all seams except where two walls meet or the tile hits the shower pan. I'd recommend caulk only at these spots. Since you show us an obvious hole above the floor I'd take a careful look at the entire seam all the way up to the top of the wall. If you have any cracks or other hole I'd remove the entire seam and rechaulk. I also strongly suspect Tom is on the trail of something that must be checked out. Your mixing valve or piping inside the wall could be the problem too. You might be able to see most of the valve by removing the handle and escutcheon plate. A lazy way of checking is to mop up the water and don't use the shower for days. If you still have water then you have a leak inside the wall. Good luck, Bob