Water coming out of shower drain.

[PIZ]

We bought a home (built in the 50s) last year. There is a bathroom downstairs that is built up from the floor. The shower in it has never been used since we moved in and we had boxes of moving things piled in there. We finally had some time to get to the boxes and I noticed there was quite a bit of water at the bottom of the shower and I pulled off the drain screen and there was water in the drain. How could there be water in there if I never use it? I flushed the toilet, which is about 10 feet from the shower to see if water came through the shower drain and it did not. Upstairs, when I do the dishes, when the water drains, I hear a gurgling, so maybe the problem is a venting problem.

Also, on the bottom (where the wall meets the floor) of the built up floor on the side of our basement floor there is some water, and I'm not sure if this would be caused by hydrostatic pressure or a leak in the plumbing of the built up bathroom.

Also, concerning the bathroom in the basement. The floor is concrete, and there is a shower, sink, and toilet in there. Would the floor be solid concrete? Why I'm asking is, if the water on the basement floor is from hydrostatic pressure, how would I stop it, since the place where I'd put the hydraulic cement would be about 5 feet from the home's outside wall?

I hope this wasn't too confusing, and I'd appreciate any advice you could give. Thanks in advance.

[Mike Swearingen]

A. The water in the shower drain is trap water and should be there. It prevents sewer gas from entering, as all traps are supposed to do.
B. The water in the basement could be from a number of sources (leaking pipes, hydrostatic leaks through wall or floor, and/or condensation). Dry it up as best you can (a fan will help) and see if you can determine where it's coming from before doing a "solution". You may be able to use interior paint-on sealers made for the purpose, if it's hydrostatic.
C. Yes, the basement floor is solid concrete. The drain pipes would be built into the concrete. (A toilet has a built-in trap, the shower drain will have a trap in the concrete floor, and the sink trap will be under the sink.)
D. The gurgling could be caused by sluggish drain lines (most likely) or a partially clogged vent. Try cleaning them with a good non-caustic, enzyme-based drain cleaner like DrainCare. It won't harm the fixtures or pipes, but will eat out all organic gunk overnight. Just follow the directions on the jug. It may take more than one application, if the drains are really sluggish. You also can check the roof vents for leaves, debris, etc. to make sure that they're clear, too.
Good Luck!
Mike

[PIZ]

That was quick, Mike, and appreciated. If I do B, which is seal the leak where the wall meets the floor, which is about 5 feet from the actual basement outside wall, I would prevent the water from coming into my "finished" basement are, but wouldn't (or couldn't) the water build up under my bathroom floor and leak up through there? I guess it would just leak out the side?