Water Collection on Ceiling - Plumbing Forum

mkamyszek · 01-07-2012, 08:31 PM

We have a tub with shower on the main floor of our house. The main floor bathroom sits below a full bathroom on the second level. When we take showers (10 mins) in the main level bathroom, water collects in two specific areas on the ceiling. Obviously it is from the steam, but it collects very heavily in these two spots. The rest of the ceiling and walls are moist because of the steam as well but these areas seem to have a lot of water collection on them. Any idea why this is happening? Thanks!

**LiQuId** · 01-08-2012, 07:39 AM

could be many things, a leaking p trap or drainage piping, caulking or grout cracked, could be condensate from the toilet.

check forst for obvious places where water could penetrate like caulking, grout, or around the tub spout or shower escustions.. if you find nothing then we look deeper.

mkamyszek · 01-08-2012, 12:22 PM

Liquid, thanks for the reply. I've checked for any places that water might be able to get in and everything is sealed up tight. Once the first level bathroom dries (after taking a shower) the ceiling in these collection areas are dry like the rest of the ceiling and solid to the touch. I can punch the ceiling and there is no give or movement.

I made a moisture barrier out of a large zip-loc bag and duct tape and put it over the spot while I took a shower. Once done, I pulled the moisture barrier off and there was no moisture under the zip-loc bag. On the outside of the bag, there was the normal amount of steam collection.

This leads me to believe it has something to do with the paint/primer that was used on this part of the ceiling, potentially as a patch some time ago. What do you think? Could paint/primer cause water to collect in a specific area?

**Caduceus** · 01-08-2012, 01:16 PM

If moisture is building up on the ceiling of the bathroom being used, it may be finding a low point to collect. If repair work was done in the past, the patch on the ceiling may be sitting slightly lower than the rest of the surrounding material. It may need to be sanded more to provide a flush finish with the surrounding plaster/drywall.

**johnjh2o** · 01-08-2012, 01:38 PM

I to was thinking along the same lines as caduceus. But if you run your bathroom exhaust fan when taking a shower that should eliminate the problem all together.

John

mkamyszek · 01-08-2012, 01:57 PM

Thanks for the replies! We've been running the exhaust fan, and that doesn't seem to help. I don't know if any repair work has been done. We bought the house in March of 2011, but rarely use that bathroom since we have 3 and it's just my wife and I. If repair work has been done, it has been done nicely as there are no noticeable traces of it.

I am going to try sanding those areas and applying new ceiling paint in the bathroom to see if that helps (we are refinishing the main level bathroom and that's why we have noticed this problem). I will let you know how it goes once paint has been applied, cured, and we attempt to shower in there. Thanks again!

**johnjh2o** · 01-08-2012, 02:01 PM

I would also check the exhaust fan to be sure it is vented out and not just into the attic space.

John

DFBonnett · 01-08-2012, 03:01 PM

OP,
It is not a paint problem. If you do choose to repaint use an appropriate product such as Ben Moore Aura Bath & Spa or Zinsser Kitchen and Bath. It's possible you have a low spot there. Put a straight edge across it to verify. Verify that there is not an obstruction in the ductwork leading from the fan.

**Chris** · 01-09-2012, 12:16 AM

I am also leaning towards the vent fan not working properly. Also haw far from the ceiling in the shower curtain or is there glass doors that go far up?

bowserb · 01-09-2012, 07:42 PM

Over the last 20 years we've had more leaks than I care to remember, so we're hyper-sensitive to moisture in the house--and there is plenty of it here in Houston, where a really dry day is relative humidity in the 80% range!

Whether the moisture is pooling on the ceiling, running off the mirrors onto the counter and floor, or making the walls damp, I think that is a problem which could lead to mold and mildew, big time.

I agree with the notion that ventilation may be inadequate. You mention an exhaust fan, but what about air supply? Is there an open bathroom door allowing drier air to be sucked in? Without new air, an exhaust fan has a hard time blowing the saturated air out. Like you, it is just the two of us here, and we normally leave the bathroom door open when showering, so that the room has a supply of (relatively) dry air coming in.

Also, you might consider the next level up in fan motors. When mine burned out the first time, I upgraded to a higher CFM rated fan, and that has made a difference.