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Message |
    
campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 35
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 10:04 am: |     |
A while ago, someone posted a procedure to determine if a leak was coming from a pipe or somewhere within the shower/bath. I can't find this info, and I have notice some dripping out of my ceiling. Could whoever posted this info, please do so again. If, the leak is coming from the shower/tub, could you also post how to fix this problem. |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 90
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 6:12 pm: | |
Assuming your leak is not constant, that is, a steady drip all the time and not just after the tub/shower is used, a good method to diagnose the problem is to perform the following steps:
1. Fill a bucket of water from another source (kitchen sink, another bathtub)
2. Pour the bucket of water directly into the tub drain being careful not to spill the water on the floor or walls of the surrounding area.
3. Check for leaks in the ceiling downstairs.
4.No leaks? Drain piping is fine.
5. Next fill another bucket using the leaking tub's showerhead. Again not letting any water go outside of the bucket.
6. No leaks? Shower piping is fine.
7. Run water in the tub for a few minutes using the tub spout.
8. No leaks? Your plumbing is fine.
9. Now you’re left with a bucket of water from step five. Pour the water on the walls in the tub area. Splash it around really well. This is no time to be neat. After you’ve done it, do it again.
10. Check for leaks.
If you do have a steady drip, that is a good indication that you have a WATER piping leak (as opposed to a drain piping leak), and your bathroom may require surgery.
That's it!
Master_Plvmber
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campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 36
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 9:50 am: | |
OK - I've done that - the leak appears only during or after shower time. I have checked the shower head and drain and those do not cause any dampness in my ceiling. What now?
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Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 91
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 7:16 am: | |
An intermittent leak coming from a tub or shower is most likely a grout problem. Water has a way of finding its way into the tiniest seams between tiles and through faucet handle and tub spout wall penetrations.
Here's a little story about a leaking bathtub:
When I was 10 years old, my brother and I were plumber’s helpers to my Dad. We went to the home of a new customer who had a drip coming from her bathtub and into the room below. Despite all of our efforts, we could not find the leak. We tried everything to make it drip but never saw a drop. But, the customer insisted that every time she took a shower there would be water on the floor of the room below.
The dripping persisted for a couple of days and we were in danger of losing a customer.
Then we had the idea we should ask the woman to take a shower and we would wait downstairs and see what was happening.
Then we decided that might be a creepy idea. Which it was.
Plan “B” was to ask the nice lady’s permission to let Johnny (me) take a shower and she could wait with us and see if it leaked. The customer thought that was a wonderful idea and even offered to give me shampoo (what do you think she meant by that?).
I was mortified, taking a shower in the lady’s house. Dad and David told me not to be a baby. I don’t remember if that helped or not.
Anyway, I took a shower and we found the leak. There was a problem with the floor joists holding up the tub. With the weight of someone standing in it, small seams where the tiles met the tub would open up and let water seep in behind the wall. Without the added weight, the seams closed up and the leak disappeared.
Check the surrounding walls carefully and report back.
Master_Plvmber
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campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 37
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 8:56 am: | |
I have run some silicon caulk around the area where the tile meets the tub and wherever there appears there might be a gap. This morning, after shower time, our ceiling was dry. Hope we are done with this problem |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 96
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 14, 2003 - 12:26 pm: | |
So, it's four days later. Is the problem solved?
Master_Plvmber
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campbell29
Citizen
Username: Campbell29
Post Number: 40
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 10:44 am: | |
Still dry |
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