[gheris]

The shower stall upstairs is leaking down to our basement. I noticed that the leak runs down along the main drain pipe. Is this a grout problem or something related to the actual drain? The water that runs down on the actual perimeter of the drain pipe. And it's a good amount of water that runs down while the shower is being run.

Hope someone can help us out. Thank you.

Geri

[speedball1]

What type of shower are you referring to. Custom built tile or a manufactured shower base and enclosure? Waiting on you, Tom

[gheris]

The shower has a shower base and a single swing shower door, the interior is tiled fully, including the celing. My guess is the shower was just a door and a base, everything else was built with 2x4, drywall and tile. We resealed and regrouted the tiles a few months back. We caulked the area where the door frame is attached.

[speedball1]

This shower base. Is it plastic and does it give a bit when stepped on? Tom

[gheris]

Yes, I would say the base is plastic. Looks like the previous homeowner did a lot of the work himself, when we bought the house, we discovered that he had vented this bathroom's exhaust into the attic. Also I should point out the shower drain gurgles when the toilet is flushed. I was told that is due to a blocked vent.

[gheris]

The shower stall upstairs is leaking down to our basement. I noticed that the leak runs down along the main drain pipe. Is this a grout problem or something related to the actual drain? The water that runs down on the actual perimeter of the drain pipe. And it's a good amount of water that runs down while the shower is being run.

Hope someone can help us out. Thank you.

Geri

I just found something else out... other than the shower water running down the drain when being used, now, the toilet being flushed causes the same thing. What could be causing this problem?

Please help!

[speedball1]

Hey Gen, Let's take one thing at a time. The lavatory roof vent needs to be snaked and cleared. Next you will have to locate the shower leak. This can be done in two ways. (1) You can cut a square out of the ceiling and look **or** (2) you can do this by the process of elimination. Remove the strainer and block off the drain, Some people jam wet rags down the drain and others take a balloon and blow it up inside the drain and tie it off. Now fill the shower base with one inch of water and let let set over night. Look for moisture on the ceiling next morning. If there is none then let the water out and look again for moisture. Let me know what you see. Tom

[gheris]

There is no leak in the ceiling I think, the leak from upstairs is only evident as water running down the side of the main drain in the basement, do I still have to cut a hole in the bathroom ceiling in the 1st floor?

[speedball1]

Then do what I suggested only check for water running down the stack instead of moisture in the ceiling. Good luck, Tom

[gheris]

Hi Tom,
First of all, thanks for your assistance. In your experience, what causes water to run down the side of the drain if the toilet is flushed or shower is run, does that indicate a cracked drain pipe or a clogged vent?