[Andaluri]

Hi,
When ever we take shower in the upstairs master bathroom water drips down the ceiling downstairs right above the dining table.we called our contarctor he said it is toilet problem came and fixed it still water comes down.it only happens only when someone is in the sower.
I called a licensed plumber yesterday he says it is the shower base that's leaking he cocked the shower base and left and today when I took a shower it leaks down the same it leaked the first day.I paid almost $800 dollars to both the guys,they come up with different ideas fixing things which are not related to the problem.now he says the tiles are causing the leak and to be grouted.I have no idea what's happening nor do these guys.I appreciate if some helps me,I can't afford to call another problem... please help

[Stratmando]

If it leaked when showering, but not when flushing, about eleminates Toilet as the problem.
The shower can leak in 2 ways and should have been determined if the Faucets or the drain. Could have turned on the shower and directing the water down the drain or toilet, NOT SHOWER DRAIN. If it leaking now, It is likely the valves or supply connections, If it doesn't leak, I would look torwards the drain?

[speedball1]

we called our contarctor he said it is toilet problem

Sure don't sound that way tome.

I called a licensed plumber yesterday he says it is the shower base that's leaking he cocked the shower base

And that \'s without even checking to locate the source of the leak? Shame on both of them.
You and I can do a better job, Let's nail it down. Remove the strainer from the drain and pack the opening with damp rags to seal it off. Now fill the base with a inch of water and watch the ceiling. For moisture, If you see water you have a ruptured drain seal. Pull the rags out and drain the base, If moisture appears then you have a trap or drainage leak. If after all that and still no moisture then you have tile grout that's shrunk allowing water to leak where the stream hits the tile. Let me know what you find and I'll come back with a solution. Back to you, Tom

[Andaluri]

Thanks I will do that and get back..

[ma0641]

About the only way to find the leak is to open the ceiling under the shower and wall behind the shower valves. You may be able to start by removing the shower handle and escutcheon plate to see if you can observe water coming from the valves. Depending on the construction of the shower, could be the pan, drain or wall grouting and sealing.

[speedball1]

To repair a leak you must first locate it and I just showed you how, Get back to me with the results and we'll start a repair. We'll open up the wall or ceiling only if needed only if we need to to repair the leak. Waiting on your answer, Tom Good luck, Tom

[hkstroud]

My approach to this would to pick up a 1/2" pipe cap, iron or PVC, remove the shower head and screw on the pipe cap. Turn on the water to the shower. If you get water leaking down stairs the leak is in the supply pipes some where. Most likely place for that would be where the shower arm screws into the drop ell. If you don't get any water leaking downstairs the leak is in the shower pan or drain pipes.

A pizza says its at the shower arm/drop ell connection. Somehow, I got to get in on this deal of being paid big bucks for handing out BS.

[tiggerella]

I was going to throw in my two cents, but since you have a couple of experienced plumbers helping you out...

Our tub was leaking and my husband followed speedball1's suggestion to locate the problem. Unfortunately for us, it needed us to take down part of the kitchen ceiling - which we found out at that point was ancient horse hair plaster throughout the first floor - and which we're still saving up to replace with some more modern ceiling material.

I hope you have more modern materials to deal with in your house...

[Stratmando]

Speedball, Not even close, You and the other Plumbers ARE experts, and EXTREMELY knowledgeable, I was talking about the "Troubleshooters?" charging $800, and solved nothing.

[Stratmando]

I'm here also helping for free trying to pass on some useful info that can help people avoid the cheats.
You hate to have experience and knowledge and not use it.
I love solving Problems/Puzzles.
Take Care

[Andaluri]

I don't think I made it clear that the leak only occurs after some one has taken a shower but not if water is going down the drain or water is splashed against the shower walls.The plumber has replaced the drain on the theory that the weight of a human body push the drain down and cause the leak.
He came in today and caulked the tiles and we are waiting for tomorrow to see if that works.

[hkstroud]

Still say the shower arm/drop ell is most likely source.

Suggest that you pull the escutcheon around the shower arm away from the wall and look inside for signs of water.

If the leak is at the shower arm/drop ell, the pipe cap would make it very obvious. Easy enough to do.

[speedball1]

Andaluri.
I gave you all the places to check, I'm still waiting for the results. While it's possible for a shower raiser to leak I've never found one that leaked after over 50 years out in the field. The checks I gage you pretty much covered all the possibilities that come to mind. Is there an y reason you haven't done them? The sooner you do the sooner we can repair your leak. Tom

[Stratmando]

I don't think your ceiling was the cause, What did you find IN the ceiling? Broken Drain, Broken Supply, can you tell what you found?

[Stratmando]

I don't know if I mentioned opening the ceiling, It is not the worse idea, if not to see what is going on, but to let the water out, as opposed to leaving alone and damaging more ceiling, or following down walls. And It could let it be air dried to avoid mold?
Was the source of the water located, don't know if I missed it?

[Stratmando]

I'm curious of the source.

[speedball1]

We all are Strat. I'm still waiting for Andaluris response.