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    deeboz's Avatar
    deeboz Posts: 5, Reputation: 2
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    #1

    Jul 22, 2008, 11:12 AM
    Shower water leaks through ceiling plumber says pipes OK
    Our shower leakes through to the ceiling. Plumbers have bee here, tearing up ceilings, etc, reinstalled tile wall around tub, recaulked and sealed. The last plumber says our pipes are OK, no leaking. He thinks the leak is coming from threshold. Is is possible that water goes through tile walls under the floor? Leaking only occurs when someone actually takes a shower, not while shower is running and draining for the plumber. Thanks. Dee
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jul 22, 2008, 02:18 PM
    OK put your swim suit on and take a shower while a smarter plumber takes a shot. It could be that the floor of the shower flexes under the weight of a person and causes the drain to leak.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #3

    Jul 22, 2008, 03:55 PM
    What type of shower base do you have?
    deeboz's Avatar
    deeboz Posts: 5, Reputation: 2
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    #4

    Jul 23, 2008, 06:40 AM
    Ha ha. Thanks for responding. I have a fiberglass tub that's about 25 or more years old with a shower. I'm thinking of taking the shower head off to see if I can see anything there. Unfortunately everything is tiled so access to the shower lead is limited. I'll stand in the tub and let it run to see if the drain leaks. If that's OK, I'm thinking of taking buckets of water and splashing the walls to see if there's anything there. Right now there's a hole in the downstairs ceiling waiting to be patched as soon as we can figure this thing out. Hoo boy.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #5

    Jul 23, 2008, 06:46 AM
    My bet's on the tile grout. Pay close attention where the shower stream hits the tile. Regrout if necessary. Good luck, Tom
    deeboz's Avatar
    deeboz Posts: 5, Reputation: 2
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    #6

    Jul 23, 2008, 07:19 AM
    Thanks, I will do that first, it seems like a good place to start. Thanks, again.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #7

    Jul 23, 2008, 10:12 AM
    Bad grout can allow for a leak but if the backer board was properly installed bad grout leaks are very rare. What is on the otherside of the wall where your shower head is located. Normally there is a inspection door to allow for future repair and/or replacement. If there is no door and you are inside a closet, hopefully, you can cut an opening. Tell us what's back there.
    deeboz's Avatar
    deeboz Posts: 5, Reputation: 2
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    #8

    Jul 24, 2008, 09:14 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by deeboz
    Our shower leakes through to the ceiling. Plumbers have bee here, tearing up ceilings, etc, reinstalled tile wall around tub, recaulked and sealed. The last plumber says our pipes are ok, no leaking. He thinks the leak is coming from threshold. Is is possible that water goes through tile walls under the floor? Leaking only occurs when someone actually takes a shower, not while shower is running and draining for the plumber. Thanks. Dee
    Thanks. I have figured out the location under the floor, am in the process of recaulking where the plate is for the handle of the shower, shower head, around the tub, the floor, and any where that I see water hitting. I'm going to seal it next. Thanks for your reply. Dee
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