Check for cracks, even very fine ones, anywhere on the pan. Call today for a free consultation 866-957-2130. Well, we know what a shower diverter does in keeping water from going into your tub when youâre taking a shower. The overflow tube is a safety feature that channels water that has overfilled the tub back down into the drain pipes before it can spill over the edge of the tub. The shower diverter does itâs job simply by raising and lowering a small gate (called a diverter gate) to either block or allow ⦠If a diverter valve leaks in shower mode, the water flowing out of the bathtub spout When a diverter valve is working properly, water only flows out of either the tub spout or the showerhead. I have no trap door. A call to Moen might get you a free spout--they are generous with replacement parts, New members: Adding your location to your profile helps in many ways.--M--. In this case, carefully pull the assembly up and out of the drain opening. A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. "In the heat of battle, my father wove a tapestry of obscenity.........". And we don't have much room to build an unusual frame around the tub since it's ⦠Remove any access hatch or panel you have to expose the tub's plumbing connections. The drain fitting in the bottom of the tub, or the surrounding drain and drain-trap piping, may loosen,... Faucet leaks. ⦠If running water in the tub causes no leaking, run the shower water instead. If the shower test does not reveal leaks, then the overflow tube is the most likely culprit. My bathtub drain leaks at the seal around the shoe (the little elbow with the flange on it that is on the bottom of the tub that the drain screen in the tub screws into)but only at specific times and I have not been able to recreate the leak. Skip to ⦠This is not to say that low-flow showerheads should not be installed, but rather to (Please see Appendix A for a diagram of our rig.). When we run the bathtub it does not seem to leak, only when we run the shower. The following diagram has the problem areas ⦠The overflow pipe, which is typically located at the back of the bathtub is another common cause of bathroom leaks. A faulty diverter usually causes this problem. Leak in floor from shower but not bathtub; Author: plumbydummy (VA) When we run the shower the floor beneath leaks. Sounds like a Moen product or a knock off and the diverter is bad in the end of the spout. Schedule a consultation. The overflow drain pipe usually has a little give, and you can push it backwards (away from the tub) gently to gain some space to grab the gasket with your fingers or needlenose pliers. If so, it is an easy fix to replace the entire overflow assembly with new parts. If your pan or floor looks good, try this basic step. Most often this is not the case and the leak is actually due to shrinking of grout around the tiles where the shower spray hits and splashes. It is possible, however, that the leak is caused by a faulty seal around the drain assembly. When posting in forums, letting us know your location will help others give better feedback/advice/solutions to your questions. Testing the shower tray. Doing so, you see water coming out of the tub faucet while the showerhead is on. Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. That means the water would be leaking even when the bathtub or shower is not in use. Push the handle on the faucet, then replace the screw in the middle of the handle. Some are obvious but one or two will not be what you are expecting to hear! If you Decide to DIY Your Diverter Repair. Make sure the gasket is installed correctly and that it sits in the center of the tub overflow drain. One of the most common places for a leak to occur is in the shower tray; the base of the shower. As we said before, these can be fixed! Astronaut Images / Caiaimage / Getty Images. Cut the caulk with a utility knife. Cracked or missing caulk around these elements lets water behind the shower wall. These washers dry up and crack due to age and/or lack of moisture. Your bathtub faucet should not be spraying out while your shower head is on. Fit the overflow plate back into position, making sure its opening (where the overflowing water flows out) is at the bottom. A tub overflow pipe seals against the tub with a ring-shaped gasket that typically lies between the flange around the pipe opening and the backside of the tub wall. If it is a leak on a pressurized water line it would be a continuous leak. The Grout â Many times when a leak occurs the homeowner thinks it is coming from the pipes. Caulk around all your trim plates and tub spout. Tub: If you're looking to repair leaks in the actual bathtub, you're going to need a heavy-duty sealant with waterproof powers. Inspect the edge of the tub around the overflow plate for nicks or corrosion that can allow water to seep in behind it. Some of the tools that you will be using will have movable parts. 1 Posts . The threads on the shower arm holding the ⦠Helping You to Do It Yourself! As far as we can see it's not coming from a pipe (that we can see from the hole we cut in the ceiling). i tried just tightening the srcrew which didnt work. How to Replace a Bathtub Waste-and-Overflow Tube, How to Fix a Sticky Trip-Lever Bathtub Drain Stopper, How to Troubleshoot and Fix Ceiling Leaks, How to Install a Pop-Up Drain Stopper in a Bathroom Sink, How to Fix a Toilet That Leaks Around the Base. But if the fittings on the overflow tube become loose, it can allow water to spill out and drip beneath the tub, where it might even ruin the floor or the ceiling in the room below the tub. Schedule a consultation . Note: Overflow gaskets are often tapered to accommodate the angle of the tub wall; follow the manufacturer's instructions for how to work with the taper. Problems with a leaky bathtub are often traced to the overflow tube, or overflow drain assembly. If you see leaking, look for signs of water splashing onto the tub spout, showerhead or faucet escutcheon plate (valve plate). When someone is showering, you might see water dripping from the ceiling. Tighten or repair them as needed. Discussion Starter ⢠#1 ⢠Jan 26, 2014. when running just the bathtub everything works perfectly. If your tap is leaking when water is filling the bathtub, you will need to check either of the following: a) The volume of the water flowing through the shower system. Sometimes the leak isnât coming from the upstairs bathroom. The leak might be caused by a problem with the plumbing below the drain itself, which will likely require a plumberâs assistance to fix. The shower is an important plumbing fixture every ⦠schedule a free consulation at 877-422-9550. A diverter is a valve that diverts the flow of water from the shower to the faucet and back. The following steps can help confirm that the tub overflow drain is the source of a leak and show you how to repair the problem. If you do not have access to the ceiling below this can be tricky. When you are experiencing bathtub faucet leaks, the first thing that needs to be done is to turn off the water supply connection that leads to your bathtub faucet. Most bathtubs leaks can be categorized as one of three types: Drain leaks. Why Your Faucet is Leaking when the Shower is On: The reason your faucet leaks when all of the water is supposed to be going up to the showerhead is a faulty diverter valve. To solve this, try using 1/2" brass pipe fittings from the control to the tub spout only. Frequently, leaky grout, caulking, cracks around the faucet trim, leaky shower doors, or careless people cause leaks. You can fix this problem by removing the drain and applying new plumberâs putty to the area ⦠This increased diameter ⦠If your water leak is coming from your shower floor, then it may be obvious already you have a broken shower pan. If the overflow gasket is in good condition or if replacing the gasket does not seem to stop the leak, there are some other approaches you can try: Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with first-hand knowledge in solving home plumbing problems. Check to make sure that the overflow plate is screwed tightly into place and that the notch in the plate is facing down. Just buy a new one. Before running your water, wait about three hours to allow the sealant to thoroughly dry. Most assemblies have a long, thin rod connected to a cylindrical stopper at the bottom. Always check ⦠If the leak continues even after the shower is off, then the leak is probably coming from a water pipe. You may need to cut away caulking from around the overflow plate before it will come off. When in doubt, it's a good idea to replace the gasket to rule it out as a source of leaking. The ⦠If it is heavily worn, cracked, or compressed, replace the gasket using the following steps. This is the part that diverts the water from the tub spout up to the showerhead. then, with the spout removed i placed my thumb over the spout to activate the shower and it worked perfectly...no leak...what could be wrong and how do i fix it. Here is the deal - I got bathroom remodeled. The tub faucet leaking while youâre taking a shower is a common household problem that most ⦠Run water in the tub and look for any water leaking directly below it. When water leaks from a shower or bathtub, it can cause damage to framing and to the ceiling in the room underneath, even if you see no sign of it in ⦠If you get water out of a tub spout when the shower is running, then there is something wrong with the diverter. Posted On: January 09, 2016 . If you have an upstairs bathroom, you may notice dried water stains on the ceiling below the shower. When the volume of the water is too high, it creates pressure which leads to water dripping from the shower head. 1) The cover plate around the shower valve or tub spout may not of been sealed with caulk, causing the leak from water splashing off the body and going behind the cover plate and down the wall and into the ceiling below. I have a slow tub leak in my kitchen ceiling. Usually, a washer that is located between the overflow pipe and the tub. This pipe is called the shower riser. If it is a leak on a drain line it will show up only when the bathtub or shower is in use. If you find some, youâre in for a new shower pan or shower floor to stop the leak. The overflow drain is very likely the source of your leak if you routinely bathe with the water level quite high, or if you have active children who slosh water playfully while they bathe. If you see water leaking, it is very likely you have loose connections in the drain fitting or the drain trap below the tub. This causes water to rundown behind the tiles and then onto the floor. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. Always check the tile for grouting and caulking issues first. Most times shower valve leaks behind the wall are very slow. Upper and sides only leave bottom open. During the inspection, you may find that the overflow pipe assembly is loose or damaged. Before you buy a home you should test for leaks. If you have access (if not, you should make one; 14" square centered on the valve) to the back of the mixing valve, use a flashlight and watch carefully when the water is first turned on, after its been off overnight. Itâs possible that there may be crack in the grouting, an unintentional gap between the shower tray ⦠The gasket is made of neoprene or rubber and can become brittle and cracked over time, leading to leaks.