Replies

1. 
   csnow | Oct 08, 2004 11:09pm | #1

   Probably not.  Lead and steel are pretty close in the Galvanic Scale.

   http://www.mtec.or.th/th/research/famd/corro%5Chowmetals.htm

   TABLE 2

   Galvanic corrosion potential between common construction metals
   	Alum.	Brass	Bronze	Copper	Galvan Steel	Iron/ steel	Lead	Stain steel	Zinc
   Aluminum		1	1	1	3	2	2	3	3
   Copper	1	2	2		2	1	2	1	1
   Galvanized steel	3	2	2	2		2	3		3
   Lead	2	2	2	2	3	3		2	3
   Stainless steel*	3	1	1	1	2	2	2		1
   Zinc	3	1	1	1	3	1	3	1
   Galvanic action will occur with direct contact. Galvanic action may occur. Galvanic action is insignificant between these metals. * Active stainless steel

1. 
   savino | Oct 08, 2004 11:51pm | #5

   Thank you

2. 
   1coolcall | Oct 08, 2004 11:09pm | #2

   If the lead was reacting with the (I'm assume Fe in the wire) wouldn't you expect lead to react to cast Iron pipes.  Which is doesn't seem too considering all of the cast pipes that have joints packed with lead. 

   Did one of the reinforcing wires poke through the lead during installation? and it has taken this long to leak? 

3. 
   seeyou | Oct 08, 2004 11:38pm | #3

   Also, lead is more noble than steel, so if there was a reaction the steel would corode, not the lead.

   I invented nobility.

1. 
   savino | Oct 08, 2004 11:50pm | #4

   Thank you King Greencu

4. 
   hammer1 | Oct 08, 2004 11:59pm | #6

   Lead is a weird choice for a shower, doesn't take much to tear it or poke a hole. Could be leaking anywhere. First thought is the soldered corners, second thought is anywhere. With a felt paper first and then wire and mud on top the whole floor could flex and work a hole in the lead just about any place.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

1. 
   jarcolio | Oct 09, 2004 12:06am | #7

   I had a house once that had the same problem -- it was either around the drain or coming in through the tile above the lead pan. Fortunatley, I took the whole thing out and put in a fiberglass unit -- at the time, the retiling and demo was $1500 -- fiberglass was $300 and it was not too bad getting in -- was a 2 piece. And most importantly it did not leak -- how heavy is the couple -- pan has to have a lot of stress and settling to give way after 5 yrs.

2. 
   savino | Oct 09, 2004 12:09am | #8

   Thanks for the info.

5. 
   EricPaulson | Oct 09, 2004 02:00am | #9

   T,

   I've seen these pans last 50 yrs. or more if formed and installed correctly. I've also seen them never get off the ground.

   While it wouldn't be unheard of, I'm curious why the tile setter put felt down.

   Long shot here, actually not THAT long cuase I've seen it happen........any chance the tile setter or "someone" may have NAILED or STAPLED the felt or wire lathe to the pan??

   Sounds like you're in the blame game here, you mind letting us in? Might be able to help you better with some more info.

   Can you open up a ceiling or see the bottom of the pan, ie; has the source of the leak been indicated??

   Eric

   I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,

   With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.

6. 
   FNbenthayer | Oct 09, 2004 02:45am | #10

   The plumber we use puts the lead pan down on packed sand, he says anything hard or sharp (like mud and lathe) will likey leak.

    

    

    

    

   The awful thing is that beauty is mysterious as well as terrible. God and the devil are fighting there, and the battlefield is the heart of man.
   - Fyodor Dostoyevski