how to fix leaky copper pipe

[netzone23]

My house was built in 1960 I have all original copper pipes. Anytime I take a shower my hallway and kitchen floods, but the bathroom stays dry. I'm thinking that there must be a crack in two pipes. I can wash dishes in the kitchen without any water leak, or use the washing machine. But as soon as I take a shower the hallway and kitchen flood. I'm wondering is there a way to fix like a DIY project. Due to the pandemic I don't have a lot of money so I can't afford to call a plumber. I don't know a lot about hardware or plumbing, this would be my very first DIY project. Any advice or suggestions would help greatly.

Thanks,
SJ

 

[Jeff Handy]

There are so many variables.

Someone really has to be on site to start narrowing this down.

There could be a leak in the shower valve, which leaks out the wall behind it.
Or a leak in the shower head riser, once again it could leak into the next room or hallway.

Impossible to diagnose without tons more info and lots of pictures.

And a diagram of your house plan, showing fixtures.

If you are low income or a senior, your city, county, or church or local charities might have free or low cost assistance for home repairs.

Start calling around for info like that.

 

[netzone23]

I decided I would try an experiment my shower is a bathtub/shower. I plugged the drain and turned the shower I had no flooding at all. I tried to drain the bath tub slowly and that's when I started to see water in the hallway and kitchen. There must be crack in the drain pipe. At least I know if I plug the bathtub it won't flood the kitchen or hallway only problem would be getting rid of the water without flooding the kitchen or hallway.
I've started making some phone calls but a lot of help is going to families first. I'm married but we have no children. I'm also going to make a few more phone calls. I was hoping it would be somewhat of an easy fix where I could fix it myself.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Access the back of the tub and see what’s leaking on the drain.

Your house on a concrete slab foundation ?

 

[netzone23]

Access the back of the tub and see what’s leaking on the drain.

Your house on a concrete slab foundation ?

Yes it is and the pipes run under the foundation.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Yes it is and the pipes run under the foundation.

It’s either below the slab coming up or it’s above the slab leaking out.
You need to find out which.

The house is 60 yrs old so it definitely could be either at this point.

 

[netzone23]

Yes it is and the pipes run under the foundation.

By access the back of the tub I'm assuming that is cutting a hole in the drywall that directly behind the tub. I can borrow my friends drywall saw to do this.

 

[netzone23]

It’s either below the slab coming up or it’s above the slab leaking out.
You need to find out which.

The house is 60 yrs old so it definitely could be either at this point.

it was built in 1960

 

[Twowaxhack]

By access the back of the tub I'm assuming that is cutting a hole in the drywall that directly behind the tub. I can borrow my friends drywall saw to do this.

If that’s directly behind the tub then yes.

You can start small and open it up as needed.

 

[Twowaxhack]

it was built in 1960

Yes, I went back and read your original post then edited my post. I’m sorry.

 

[netzone23]

Yes, I went back and read your original post then edited my post. I’m sorry.

Thank you so much! I will try this.