second floor shower leak

[peppy]

Any suggestions? Other than hire a pro next time. This bath has taken me over 3 years to complete.






Directly under the shower in the living room.


I haven't found the leak yet, I just know there is one. I am thinking it is were the shower neck screws in. Is there an easy fix for this? I can get to the back side of the shower by removing a cedar closet.

[john70t]

The ceiling is trashed anyways, but a USB inspection camera with light(endoscope) can be bought for ~$20.
The drywall bubbling is at the lowest spot of the ceiling. Not the source.

Good looking shower btw.

[Scott R]

I had the same problem on a third floor shower I built by hand. Under advice from Trekkor I was given the exact steps for making in waterproof and it's been good for four years now. You may want to PM as I can't remember all of them, but it was a ton of work creating the layered concrete floor.

[peppy]

I had the guys that did the framing and the cabinets had a Pro install the shower pan. I had asked them to not use cpvc on the 90 elbow for the shower arm and I'm guessing that is what is leaking. I did a water test on the pan before I set the tile. I am hoping and praying that it is in the wall and I can get to it.

[look 171]

One way to test it is to fill with water and wait 24 hours and see if the thing leaks. Get or rent a inflatable bladder to stop water flowing into the drain. Open ceiling from down below and watch. If thorns' water, then let go of the bladder and see about leakage around the drain. After that, water down the walls. Beauty is that you can actually see it from down below.

[bpu699]

Drywall is cheap. Cut a nice 2x2 hole in the ceiling and fix the issue. Do it before the water works its way down the drywall all the way through the room... Also, do it now and vent it before you start getting mold...

Also, goto homedepot and get some"concorbium" mold spray immediately, and spray any area that got wet. Kills mold great.

[BK911]

Did you put any goop between the drain and the shower floor?

[DanielDudley]

Get a dust mask and cut the ceiling. Or punch a hole in it. Don't over think this. You aren't saving it. Plus, the sooner you can see in there, the sooner we can help you or you can give up.

Just do it. Get the wife to hold the shop vac nozzle up there if you want to use a power tool.

[Rtrorkt]

one word, mold. Be sure it is not present in the wet drywall

[peppy]

I found the leak. It's that cheap POS cpvc elbow. I will keep dismantling the closet until I am high enough to replace it. As for the ceiling I am going to try and dry it out and refloat it.

I'm not too concerned with mold as this house is not very tight. I'm going to put a fan blowing conditioned air into the cavity in the closet and see how that works.

I'm am relieved that it is not the pan that would have killed me.

[Rtrorkt]

Peppy,
be very sure about the mold. it is a real health hazard. Had a condo leak above me in SF. Within 3 days there was a ton of black mold. Nasty stuff

Glad you found the leak

[look 171]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

Get a dust mask and cut the ceiling. Or punch a hole in it. Don't over think this. You aren't saving it. Plus, the sooner you can see in there, the sooner we can help you or you can give up.

Just do it. Get the wife to hold the shop vac nozzle up there if you want to use a power tool.

Absolutely WRONG. Get the wife to cut the hole, hold the vacuum and you hold the beer with one hand in your pocket. Damn, grow a pair.

[trekkor]

Glad it was just a pipe.

KT

[jyl]

Dodged bullet! Just a flesh wound. Lucky!

[peppy]

OK I have the closet apart and the leaking elbow removed. My BIL said I was not supposed to use Teflon tape with the plastic elbow. I have seen some that have a black gasket/seat in them this one did not.

[1990C4S]

I would use copper or PEX if it's buried behind a wall...but then again I did have a 50 year old copper pipe start to drip from corrosion.

[dad911]

Use this style instead. They also make them with a brass insert. KBI 1/2 in. CPVC CTS FPT x CTS Socket Lead Free Stainless Steel Drop Ear 90 Degree Elbow-DE-0500 - The Home Depot

[peppy]

Originally Posted by dad911

Use this style instead. They also make them with a brass insert. KBI 1/2 in. CPVC CTS FPT x CTS Socket Lead Free Stainless Steel Drop Ear 90 Degree Elbow-DE-0500 - The Home Depot

I had asked for the brass cpvc but they had the plastic already in and convinced me that it would be fine. I should have replaced it before I started tiling. I will know better next time.

[javadog]

While you are there, have a look at this section of piping and make sure there's no stress on it. That joint does not look good to me.

[peppy]

I ended up using a pex fitting for the 90 elbow, and a sharkbite for the union. I am still drying the ceiling and am hoping it will work.





Thanks for all the help and suggestions.