How To Confirm a Shower Leak

7/9/2021 (Permalink)

If you let a bathtub leak go too long, it will probably end up being a rather expensive fix in Miami Shores, FL. It's important to be vigilant with your bathroom appliances to avoid water and mold damage spreading to the rest of your house.

Initial Signs

If you've found this article that probably means you've begun to suspect a shower leak. What are the signs you should be noticing if that were the case? They can be subtle, although they are causing a lot of hidden water damage. Some suspicious activity includes:

• Stains on the ceiling below the shower
• White, crusty stalactites hanging in your crawlspace
• Loose floor tiles in the bathroom
• No other fixture in your bathroom leaking
  
  

Testing the Shower Pan

Initially, you can start testing a shower pan leak by thumping the tile and picking the grout. This can start to expose the weak points that may exist. However, the real test comes when you fill it with water. Be sure to cover the drain so nothing escapes, and then fill it to about an inch below the threshold. It helps if two or more people are with you so that someone can keep an eye on all areas it could be leaking to below. Bring a flashlight- even in a lit room, it will help you to see the water.

Other Shower Components

The problem might not be your shower pan, it could be one of the other shower components causing your bathtub leak. First look at your tub faucet, be sure to check for any loose escutcheons. If your shower arm is loose, it might mean that there is a fitting leak inside the wall. You could either cut the wall or use a shower arm escutcheon and setscrew to fix it temporarily. You should also check the door, glass, and hardware if you have any.
You can do a lot of this bathtub leak testing yourself, but if you find a leak you'll need to bring in a plumber to do a full assessment and repair, anyway. Keep a wary eye to the ceiling and you'll go far!