Saturday 13 September 2008
Not one who is handy, I am seeking some help.
There is a water leak in my kitchen. The bathtub
is directly overhead, 2nd floor. Occasionally, after
taking a shower, water would drip from the overhead
kitchen fan light…not very much, and not all the time.
This morning, there was noticeable wetness on the
floor, and an intermittent dropping from the light,
and also from a water spot on the ceiling, a few feet
from the light. No shower had been taken since the
previous morning.
It rained al last night, but rain has never been a
problem in the past, a mention to include all
circumstances.
Do I have to take the ceiling apart to find the source
of leak? That almost sounds like the answer to my
question as I ask here. How does one go about
finding a leak, so I do not make matters worse?
Many thanks!
mn
Replies
The first step is to try and duplicate it. Run the shower against each wall and see if any water shows up downstairs.
How does the tile in the shower look? Is the grout still intact?
Could be the caulk joint where the tub and floor meet. That joint causes alot of problems.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
What do you mean by fan light? Is this a ceiling fan w/ a light kit, or an exhaust fan with a light?
The reason I ask is I have seen exhaust fans have condensation issues, although usually just in the winter.
I agree with the other poster who said the first step is to duplicate the leak.
You cannot convey tone in an email.
Do you realize you posted the same question twice?
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
the testing is sound advice ,but on most of the calls i respond to with same simptons as you discribe the problem turns out to be the putty or lack of under the shower drain .remove drain ,reputty and see if it stops first would be what i would do .
Twice I've come acroos this situation, and both times after taking much apart, the culprit was the joint between the elbow on top of the riser and the six inch nipple that the shower head screws onto. Try replacing that nipple, wrapping it well with plumbers tape and give it a little time before you rip out walls looking for a leak
I had the same problem two weeks ago. First I checked the shower supply lines and trap. There is an access door on the opposite side of the tub, in a closet. I imagine you have access somewhere to the shower plumbing.
Every thing was bone dry, I have a fiberglass tub surround, so no grout leaks.I ruled out the tub and the sink. I flushed the toilet, slight leak there. I replaced the wax seal and the guts in the tank. The tank parts were old so I replaced them even though still were useable. This took care of the problem.
Start by looking for the access panel.You will probably need a flashlight to look for water stains. Also, if you have ceramic tile the grout may be the culprit, especially if the wall is sheet rocked without backer board for the tile.
mike
Wednesday 17 September 2008
Yes, I know I posted twice. I figured this groupwas more specific after posting generally.
I also understand it is difficult to not see the problem,and thank you for the responses. I will check thepanel for the tub.
The problem for me was that the shower had not beenrun for at least 24 hours, and there should not havebeen any water.
When I saw the floor covered with water, I was totallypuzzled. It was only after having a shower, and maybeone out of five times, would there be dripping water,about 1/4 C worth.
That morning, there must have been over a gallon. Isuspect it was from all the rain from IKE that hit Chicago. Next day, I did notice some dripping fromthe chimney/flue. I am guessing there must be someleaking from the roof that found its way to the line of least resistance in the kitchen ceiling?
It is an overhead ceiling fan with lights that I wasreferring to, and not an exhaust fan.
Appreciate the feedback. Apologies for not respondingsooner, after not being able to find the leak, I couldn'tfind on which board I had posted.
On the loose,mn