Bathtub Leak

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snowbird0103

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The house is 18 years old. We have just noticed a 1.5 inch diameter watermark on the ceiling directly under the bathtub. It must have just recently started. The unit is a fiberglass tub/shower unit. There is no access panel behind the unit.
Thanks for any info.
Ed :confused:
 

Plumber1

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Could be the w/o on the tub. But I'll bet it's in the bathroom.
Take the spout and escutcheons off and clean up the wall. Seal the holes with plumbers putty and reinstall.
Then clean and dry the whole area and with a small sponge or nice cotton rag, wipe in some polyseamseal calk around those fittings. Wipe it in nice and neat..
The other weak spot is you, your curtain or shower door.
Keep the floor dry.
Water doesn't have to puddle so look real close to the front part of the apron of the tub and see if you see water during or after showering.
 

TheZster

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You're right! You've got a bathtub leak. Probably going to involve a little demo to find the problem. If I were to guess.. I would say that removing the "watermark" section of drywall is going to be in order to access the drain system. But - wait till the real pro's chime in with their thoughts.....
 

snowbird0103

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I used the plumbers putty and polyseamsealed all areas. Still have a leak. Have a plunger type tub stop and could not pull it out to clean.
Any thoughts.
Ed :(
 

Plumber1

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tub

Is this a second floor tub?
Can you make an access?
I never understood why, behind a bath tub, there would be no access doors.
If you could get close enough to see, you could fill the tub and then let the water drain.
If you're sure that there is no leak at the tub wall, or at the floor next to the tub, then it must be in an area that demands an access. You need to be able to see in that area.
Or else you will need to do a ceiling repair.
 

snowbird0103

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Bahtub leak

The tub is on the second floor. I can make an access to the tub via the closet behind it.
Ed
 

Plumber1

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That's prefect. Get a good light.
When you start looking, look real good for water stains other than the top side of the ceiling below. Your well on your way.
Then just square the hole and cut a scrap piece of paneling and use 4 small screws to tack it in place.
 

Plumber1

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You might as well check it all out.
Looking from the access, did you notice any wettness or water marks up where the faucet goes through the wall?
Or where the overflow fits against the tub?
Or in the floor at the apron of the bath tub?
Continue to test by throwing water at the faucet and overflow from the bathtub side. Just in case someone bathes and fills the tub to the point of overflow, you fill it up and look.
 

snowbird0103

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Holy Mackerel. It at one time leaked from the back collar for the faucet, the diverter pipe, and the overflow by the straight pipe that goes to the trap. Will splash water, since I hopefully took care of these as my first step in plumber putty and polyseamseal. Will also check tub draining for trap leak.
Thanks for you advice. Will report further.
Ed
 

snowbird0103

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Poured 2 gallons of water over faucet plate and faucet. It leaks in the back collar and could possibly be the main leak since it travelled down the diverter pipe, the overflow pipe to the trap and down to the trap. I thought I polyseam sealed properly, perhaps I did not.
 

Plumber1

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You have to take the handles and escutcheons off the faucet.
Now here's where your plumbers putty goes.
Unscrew your spout if you can and seal the hole where the nipple comes through the wall.
Once you get it all back together, use your Polyseamseal and wipe it all nice and neat and it should look good and not leak.......
Don't forget to check the overflow........
 

snowbird0103

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After checking for leaks for three days, I am happy to report that the problem is solved. I particularly would like to thank Plumber 1 for sharing his knowledge and helping me solve the problem.
Ed :)
 
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