Leak in bathroom

[Shelbyr]

Hello all,

I have a dilemma and I’m hoping to get some advise. I am wondering if I should call a plumber or attempt to fix the issue myself.

I have two bathrooms in my home. The bathrooms share a wall, and the shower walls are horizontal to each other. I noticed in both bathrooms, along the exterior edge of the shower/tub the grout is wet. I have applied pressure with a wash rag and it dampens the rag each time, not really seeming to dry the area. I am by no means an expert so I resorted to google. This may be an issue with the drain which I am fairly confident I could replace myself. However, my fear is that it is something more. Should I attempt to replace the drains or should I call a plumber? I am hesitant as I don’t want to spend unnecessary money but do not want to let the issue get worse. Thank you in advance.

*UPDATE*

Had a plumber come out and he recommended a complete shower remodel. The handle in both showers was determined as the cause of the water on the floor. Is a remodel truly necessary? They applied a sealant to the handle but said this only a bandaid. Thanks

 

[breplum]

I doubt it has anything to do with plumbing. Most often it is a failure during installation of wall material and migrating moisture down from the tub top.
It is unfortunately, nearly impossible to remedy. Recaulk at the tile/wall tub joint may be attempted.
In cases of moisture a plumber would look at the control valve to check for leak, which would be visible with trim removed. Also if there is a tub spout, sometimes they can leak and the water travels.
Drain, well anything is possible, but what is your access like from behind or underneath?

 

[GReynolds929]

It's possibly the drain, but it could be either valve, or shower arm. If you can i would take the faceplate off of the valve and use a camera to see where the water is coming from before throwing parts at it.

 

[Shelbyr]

I doubt it has anything to do with plumbing. Most often it is a failure during installation of wall material and migrating moisture down from the tub top.
It is unfortunately, nearly impossible to remedy. Recaulk at the tile/wall tub joint may be attempted.
In cases of moisture a plumber would look at the control valve to check for leak, which would be visible with trim removed. Also if there is a tub spout, sometimes they can leak and the water travels.
Drain, well anything is possible, but what is your access like from behind or underneath?

Had a plumber come out and he recommended a complete shower remodel. The handle in both showers was determined as the cause of the water on the floor. Is a remodel truly necessary? They applied a sealant to the handle but said this only a bandaid. Thanks

 

[TomFOhio]

Are you talking about that clear bar circled. I would give that a good caulking at each end and see if things dry up. I've caulked them before and never recommended replacing the whole shower because of that.

 

[Shelbyr]

Are you talking about that clear bar circled. I would give that a good caulking at each end and see if things dry up. I've caulked them before and never recommended replacing the whole shower because of that.

Yes I am. Thank you for the advise! I greatly appreciate it.

 

[CT18]

Pour water around the walls without running the shower, after everything is dry underneath. You may have an issue with grout or caulk.

 

[Ludington]

Are you talking about that clear bar circled. I would give that a good caulking at each end and see if things dry up. I've caulked them before and never recommended replacing the whole shower because of that.

My shower had that problem... I could actually pull that bar right out of the holes. Once I caulked it, no more leak. But I was lucky enough I could get to the back side to caulk there also.

 

[Shelbyr]

Hello all,

I have a dilemma and I’m hoping to get some advise. I am wondering if I should call a plumber or attempt to fix the issue myself.

I have two bathrooms in my home. The bathrooms share a wall, and the shower walls are horizontal to each other. I noticed in both bathrooms, along the exterior edge of the shower/tub the grout is wet. I have applied pressure with a wash rag and it dampens the rag each time, not really seeming to dry the area. I am by no means an expert so I resorted to google. This may be an issue with the drain which I am fairly confident I could replace myself. However, my fear is that it is something more. Should I attempt to replace the drains or should I call a plumber? I am hesitant as I don’t want to spend unnecessary money but do not want to let the issue get worse. Thank you in advance.

*UPDATE*

Had a plumber come out and he recommended a complete shower remodel. The handle in both showers was determined as the cause of the water on the floor. Is a remodel truly necessary? They applied a sealant to the handle but said this only a bandaid. Thanks

*UPDATE 2*

I believe there is a leak in another location because water is still accumulating inside the wall. Clear bar has been sealed on both ends.

 

[Shelbyr]

*UPDATE 2*

I believe there is a leak in another location because water is still accumulating inside the wall. Clear bar has been sealed on both ends.

I discovered the problem of the leak. Image included. This isn’t actually the spot but the leak is in the guest bath and this looks just like it. I currently have towels on the spot to try and keep it as dry as possible. What is this spot and what would a repair consist of?

 

[GReynolds929]

I would use caution around those pipes. They appear to maybe be Kitec. Do you have any accessible with writing on them?

 

[Jim Jensen]

wow, I looked up KITEC, had never heard of it before......sounds like homeowner is looking at a re-pipe or move and hope new owner doesn't know what the pipes are...... https://blog.waterheroinc.com/what-is-kitec-piping/