Ceiling Leak

[RTchips]

Hey guys. So this is my situation. Three story home. Bathtub and shower on third floor and below that I noticed brown areas from Im guessing water damage. When I check the basement downpipe it is wet on the outside and I have noticed water damage around there as well. After a bath the pipe in the basement is all wet. The bath tub drains fine as I used a 25ft snake to clean everything out and thought I had fixed that. Its like the water leaks out of the pipe and goes to the lowest area in the ceiling and then also runs down the pipe on the other wall and then goes down the pipe to the basement? The house was built in 94. Any suggestions?

 

[havasu]

I'm going to guess the problem is either at the shower drain flange, of a bad seal at the transition between the wall and floor of the shower. Take a close look and post some pictures if possible,

 

[phishfood]

Is it when someone takes a shower, a bath, or doesn't it matter?

 

[RTchips]

The shower and tub are seperate. It seems it is always with the tub. They are both on the backside of the house and the down drain is on the opposite wall (like Northside and Southside) so the the pipe has to go all the way from N to S to the down drain, on the East side is were the brown spots appear like it over flowed and that area is lower there and there is kinda a stream line. I will post some pictures when I can in a few days. Ugh... irratating as the house will be up for sale in the near future.

 

[Mr_David]

A common problem with bathtubs are the overflow gaskets.
Partially fill tub and drain. do you get leakage?
could be the tub spout or valve. If no leakage fill tub to over flow.
Leakage? Replace the overflow gasket. Retest.

NO luck then Cut it open

 

[RTchips]

Well after running the shower for a long time the leak still appears in the basement, two floors down. So the leak must be occurring post both drains? What type of leak would cause this? Would it be glued together or what? Obviously a novice at this. Should I just call a plumber or open the drywall up myself? Is creating the stomp appearance difficult after the fix and re drywalled? Any idea on the cost of something like this? The first floor ceiling never seems wet but it has been wet enough to create a brown halo. I am not able to upload files because I'm using a phone. I am thankful for any insight on this and appreciate everyone's ones insight.

 

[havasu]

If you are using a smart phone, you can upload the pics from the manage attachment tab below the reply posts.

 

[RTchips]

Well here are a few pics, not sure what pictures you need...

 

[RTchips]

So the tub and shower are on the opposite side of the down drain and the leak appears on the other side. The basement pipe is all wet and looks like its been that way for some time.
Ugh..

 

[Mr_David]

could be a nail or crack in the pipe. Dry wall can be repaired and texture can be matched by an experienced dry waller.
You can pay the plumber to cut and search for the source or do it yourself.
It's a guess on where to cut first. My guess MIGHT be a little better than yours.
and the guy you call maybe winging it as well. I cut a few holes in my day with a flip of a coin. Not always right on the first hole.

 

[RTchips]

Okay, kind of what I was thinking. Thanks! I'll post back when I checkit out.

 

[frodo]

chasing a leak is an expensive propersation.

you say it leaks when both are drained?

i am gonna ask, no disrespect intended

when you ran the shower. and noticed a leak

how long did you wait till you ran the tub to check it out?

reason i ask, if you did not wait a day, let the water dry. the leak you saw when you looked at the 2nd fixture

could have been water from the first fixture that was still running down the utside of the pipe


i want you do do something. take the esction off of the shower control area

look at the sheet rock/ tile. do you see a water barrier Schluter product ? or do you see just sheet rock and tile

I have seen...time and time again. builders that slap green board on the wall and tile it.

green board and tile is not water proof. after the caulk/mortor fails. wall leaks causing $$$$$$ damage

just a thought. something to check

 

[frodo]

that tub is a j-cussie.. that means it has a motor..which means the plumbing has an access panel to gt to the motor

pop the hatch, look up in there

 

[RTchips]

Well. The area was dry before each time I took a shower... At first I thought it was only the bath because the large volume or water draining. The bathtub hasn't been used in about a week now. After two consecutive showers it was wet. It leaks just a little bit. Not sure what I'm ggoing to do now

 

[frodo]

process of elimination,,shower is leaking, tub not used.

now, do not use the shower, only use tub..if leaking. it is wherr= they come together..or farther down the line

by doing this, you save cutting holes..try and pin point it..

 

[RTchips]

Okay. The drain pipe that goes to the basement is wet regardless of shower ortub. I made a drawing of to were I believe everything located. The brown halo does look like its below the sinks but they are rareley used. I also have another white hallow below the toilet from what I believe was a previous leak that was resolved before we bought the house. Anyways, where should I start the cutting?

 

[phishfood]

From your drawing, my first hole would be directly in front of the sinks, on a line between the pipe from below and the tub drain.

Don't be bashful, cut a hole approximately 18" x 18". That way, if you get lucky and nail it, you can work through it. And if you miss, it will be big enough to get your head up through and look around with a flashlight.

 

[Mr_David]

Yep I would start near the brown halo as well.

 

[frodo]

phishfood and david are correct.

i am betting the combo/wye in the main line to the lav's is leaking

after you cut. let us know

 

[havasu]

The suspense is killing me....