Finding/sealing leak in tile shower
We have a tiled shower next to a linen closet. A few months ago I noticed that the trim at the base of the linen closet door looked damp. There was some water damage that seemed to start at the floor and soak upward, but no water on the floor or inside the closet. There was also some dry, crusty mineral-looking seepage coming out of the grout along the front edge of the lip at the entrance of the shower. I watched the area for several days and was sure that the water was coming from inside the shower, not from us stepping in and out.
We caulked around the edge of the floor and around the metal hardware that attaches the door to the tiled wall, and it seemed to help, but now I’m seeing more signs of damage on the door trim. It’s not a severe leak and there has been no sign of water on the ceiling in the kitchen below.
The marble floor tile was installed by a reputable pro. Any ideas on what to do next? If there is a simple way to find the source or seal everything off myself, I’d prefer that to paying him to come look at it. Do we need to reseal the grout? Or does this sound like a bigger problem? Thanks in advance.
Replies
You might try and remove screws from the door (top/bottom pivot hinge or full metal track?) hardware-one at a time- and inject a good elastomeric caulk in everyone of those holes, then put the screw back in.
I trouble-shot one leaker that evidently allowed water to get behind the mounting screws. Once sealed, no more leak.
With the apparent efflorescence from the tile on or around the curb of the shower opening leads me to that idea.
Also, or b/4 you try the above-make sure the drain weepholes are clear. Without damage in the ceiling below, this is not a likely source.
Shower faucet handle trims sometimes allow water to get behind the metal, roll down the backside of the wall and then exit wherever.
Is there an inspection panel in that closet for the plumbing connections in the shower? What's it look like inside there?
I'd do two things.
One, buy/borrow/rent an inflatable plumber's test ball that fits the drain. Remove the grille, insert the plug down into the drain, and then inflate the ball with a bike pump. Then, run the shower and fill the pan up close to the top of the curb. Leave it a little while and then look for water in the closet and elsewhere. If you find any, you likely have a leak that cannot be patched, and need a new shower.
Two, set up some sort of deflector in the shower that splashes a lot of water on the valve and trim. A 6' stepladder with a chunk of plywood leaning against it works well. Run the shower against the plywood for a short while, making sure that plenty of water is hitting the valve area, and then look for water. If you find any, you need to seal the trim to the tile, and you might be rid of the leak at that point.
Another thing... it can take a while for a leak to appear on the ceiling below, and it may not appear directly below the shower. I've seen them leak down into adjacent walls and make it all the way to the crawl space without showing up in the living space.