After someone in your home takes a shower, does water sometimes leak downstairs? Do you notice wet spots or water stains on the ceiling directly below the bathroom? You may have a ceiling leak from the upstairs bathroom. This type of plumbing leak is common.
How much damage can a small shower leak cause? Plenty. Water will ruin the drywall and could lead to wood rot and costly structural damage. Mold may grow and put your family at risk of respiratory illnesses or skin irritation. To make matters even worse, you may see a spike in your water bill. If you want to keep your home safe, you need to repair the problem right away. Here’s how to find a leak in the ceiling from an upstairs shower:
DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE PLUMBING LEAK
Before you start making costly plumbing repairs, you have to find the source of the plumbing leak. Plumbing leaks in the ceiling are not always easy to diagnose.
Here are five possible causes:
- Leaking Water Pipe
Broken or loose pipes are a leading cause of most of leaks from the shower. If access to the pipes are possible, take a look at the water valve behind the walls. Are the connecting pipes damaged? Do you see dripping water? If so, you can assume this is the source of your plumbing leak. - Bathroom Tile Damaged
Bathroom tile is decorative, but it also serves to keep shower water from seeping into the surrounding walls and your bathroom floor. If tiling becomes loose or damaged, water can leak into the room below. Old substrate (the surface the tile adheres to) and worn-out grout may also be to blame. -
Faulty Shower Faucet
Does your shower faucet drip after turning it off? A dripping shower faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water each week, and it can also cause leaks inside the wall. Damaged O-rings, washers, or gaskets are usually to blame. - Clogged Shower Drain
When hair, soap, and other debris clog a shower drain, the water can’t go down the drain. If the tub or pan overflows, it could leak through the ceiling below. - Leaking Drain Gasket
Over time, the rubber gasket under the shower drain can dry out, crack, and leak.
It may take some trial and error to determine the exact source of the leak. You may even find other signs of water damage along the way. Upgrading your shower fixtures may be in order.
HOW PROFESSIONAL PLUMBERS FIX A LEAKY SHOWER
Here’s what a professional plumber might do to repair a leaking shower:
- Before starting any plumbing repairs, always turn off the water supply at the main shut-off valve.
- If the leak is near the faucet or in the walls, tightening the water supply line connector joints may work. The connectors don’t need to be super tight—hand-tight only and turn right. Over-tightening can warp rubber fittings and make the plumbing leak even worse. This is a big mistake we at Cass Plumbing see many do it DIYers do.
- If the substrate behind the shower tile has water-damage, you will also have to install new substrate and tile.
- Look for any holes in the grout—even a tiny hole can be the source of a leak. Fixing leaking grout means replacing it.
- A plumbing professional will run a plumber’s snake through the shower drain to remove any plumbing blockages.
- A plumber may also re-seal the shower drain. This involves removing the old gasket and cleaning away any residue or old sealant. After that is complete, a new gasket goes in, a silicone sealant is applied to waterproof the entire area, and then the drain is put back in place.
ALWAYS CHOOSE CASS PLUMBING TO STOP THAT LEAK
Are you still having a problem finding why water is leaking through the ceiling after someone in your home takes a shower? Some ceiling leaks are more complicated than others, but for the plumbing professionals at Cass Plumbing, it’s just another day on the job in Tampa Bay. Our Tampa Bay area plumbers will work fast to diagnose and repair your leaking shower. Call us today at 813-265-9200 if you want to stop that shower leak in your Tampa home for good.
