fsrph
New Member
Hi,
I have a problem with a leak in the shower. This problem is elusive and driving me crazy trying to fix it.
The history -- Older house, 2nd floor bathroom with tub shower combo. Separate knobs for hot and cold water. This is not a gushing leak but more a seeping into the beams above the lower level kitchen. I know this is happening because four kitchen ceiling blocks have been removed about 9 months ago. This was done by a plumber to install a new bathtub drain and trap. He came back and checked his work and said it was not the cause of the seepage. I believe him because you still can see all of his work thru the removed ceiling blocks, and it isn't leaking.
The leak -- only occurs when using the shower. I tried caulking/grout and using silicone sealant but the leak is still there. The leak shows itself (on the beams below it) as being roughly below the cold water knob. Today I noticed the best clue yet but I don't know how to proceed. Here is what I noticed. I have no idea how to explain it. Turn on the cold water only (filling the tub) and there is a slight dripping from the HOT water knob (the drip is cold water). But when I leave the cold water on and turn on the shower here's what happens .... the drip from the HOT water knob gets noticeably faster and there is a slow drip from the cold water knob too. Note the hot water was never turned on, just the cold.
Any ideas are appreciated. I guess I could call the plumber again, but I was hoping to be able to fix this myself. I'm tired of looking at the missing tiles in the kitchen but I can't fix them till the leak is fixed.
Francis
I have a problem with a leak in the shower. This problem is elusive and driving me crazy trying to fix it.
The history -- Older house, 2nd floor bathroom with tub shower combo. Separate knobs for hot and cold water. This is not a gushing leak but more a seeping into the beams above the lower level kitchen. I know this is happening because four kitchen ceiling blocks have been removed about 9 months ago. This was done by a plumber to install a new bathtub drain and trap. He came back and checked his work and said it was not the cause of the seepage. I believe him because you still can see all of his work thru the removed ceiling blocks, and it isn't leaking.
The leak -- only occurs when using the shower. I tried caulking/grout and using silicone sealant but the leak is still there. The leak shows itself (on the beams below it) as being roughly below the cold water knob. Today I noticed the best clue yet but I don't know how to proceed. Here is what I noticed. I have no idea how to explain it. Turn on the cold water only (filling the tub) and there is a slight dripping from the HOT water knob (the drip is cold water). But when I leave the cold water on and turn on the shower here's what happens .... the drip from the HOT water knob gets noticeably faster and there is a slow drip from the cold water knob too. Note the hot water was never turned on, just the cold.
Any ideas are appreciated. I guess I could call the plumber again, but I was hoping to be able to fix this myself. I'm tired of looking at the missing tiles in the kitchen but I can't fix them till the leak is fixed.
Francis