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    LJPerry's Avatar
    LJPerry Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 4, 2005, 04:01 PM
    Leak in tub
    I have a question on a tub leak. Our upstairs tub leaks into our downstairs bathroom ceiling but only when someone is taking a bath. Not when taking a shower. What would this indicate as to where the leak is coming from? It seems that if it was the drain that it would leak with both shower and bath, not sure but that is what I think. Is it maybe the overflow valve since sometimes the water goes above it when taking a deep bath. If we caulk this, would it help? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you,
    Lisa
    darrel1953's Avatar
    darrel1953 Posts: 86, Reputation: 12
    Junior Member
    		  
    #2

    Mar 4, 2005, 06:37 PM
    Tub, waste, and overflow unit
    You have the right idea there. Unless water is getting spilled over onto the floor or assuming your tub is attached to the surrounding walls and it is spilling over to those walls, your waste and overflow gasket needs to be changed. I hope you have an access panel either on the back wall where the actual unit is or the side wall right next to it. Go to this site to see a picture.
    http://www.plumbinglessons.com/sup/tubwaste.htm Other than that it could be something to do with your diverter valve, but it is a good bet that it is the waste and overflow gaskets. I hope you can look at it from the access hole while the tub is being used. Good Luck.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #3

    Mar 5, 2005, 06:07 AM
    Tub, waste, and overflow unit
    Quote Originally Posted by LJPerry
    I have a question on a tub leak. Our upstairs tub leaks into our downstairs bathroom ceiling but only when someone is taking a bath. Not when taking a shower. What would this indicate as to where the leak is coming from? It seems that if it was the drain that it would leak with both shower and bath, not sure but that is what I think. Is it maybe the overflow valve since sometimes the water goes above it when taking a deep bath. If we caulk this, would it help? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you,
    Lisa
    Good morning Lisa,
    I think you and Darrel were right on target when you zeroed in or the tub waste and overflow. I don't believe this can be tracked back to the valve or diverter. I think one of two things are happening. Either you're overfilling the tub and water's leaking past the sponge rubber gasket, (have you tried tightening the two screws on the face plate?) or you're splashing water over the sides and it's running down behind the tile. The simplest solution would be to just not over fill the tub. It sounds like you would be the perfect family to pitch a hot tub spa to. Cheers, Tom
    LJPerry's Avatar
    LJPerry Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Mar 6, 2005, 09:53 AM
    Thank you
    Thank you both for your replies. Unfortunately we don't have an access panel but if we had to cut in, it would be in the linen closet so it wouldn't show. We will try replacing the gaskets and see if that works.
    I'm so glad I found this site.
    Lisa
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