Water leaking through the floor next to tub?

Question

There is a bit of metallic trim between the tub and they vinyl, and at one point it must have acted as a sealer, but now water is seeping right through the floor. Is the best solution just to calk the area where the tub meets the floor? Or is there a better solution?

Answer 1

If the tub is next to the wall, then it is most likely that the leak is along the edge of the tub against the wall.
Calking that area might solve your problem.

Answer 2

The water is mostly likely coming from the caulked seam where the tub meets the wall. Get a scraper and carefully scrape all the old caulk off. When it's all off, clean the surface where new caulk would go with rubbing alcohol.

Unless you're experienced with using a caulk gun, it's hard to get a neat looking repair. You can try getting some painters tape (low adhesive masking tape), and taping both along the wall and on the tub leaving a space that you'd like to have the caulk fill. Make sure the tape is straight. Run a bead of caulk on the joint (between the two pieces of tape. Wet your finger and use it to smooth the caulk and push it into the gap. Let it sit for a couple of hours. Then gently pull the tape off. You should have a nice neat looking repair. Let it cure per the manufacturer's instructions.

Caulking the edge where the tub meets the floor might keep you from seeing the water, but it won't stop it from leaking. You'll just end up with a rotten floor.

If you're still noticing water on the floor after the repair, it could be water coming in from around the drain. Remove the grate and wedge a thick screwdriver into the drain. Use the screwdriver to unscrew the drain from the pipe. Clean around the hole and put a ring of plumber's putty around it. Screw the drain back.

If you're still seeing water it's either coming from the faucet or under the tub. Change the rings in the faucet or replace it. Of course, if that doesn't stop it, you'll need to pull the faucet and drain out and move the tub so you can see under it.

Once you've stopped the leak, you can caulk the edge where the tub meets the floor. This will keep any water that splashes out of the tub from getting under it and rotting the floor.

Answer 3

Is the water coming from under the tub or just dripping down?
I would think you would need to remove the piece of Metalic trim if its just water dripping off the tub and then calk. If its coming from under the tub you might have a leaky joint in the plumbing.

Answer 4

Resealing it may actually make your problem worse. Before you reseal the trim locate the source of water to make sure you aren't sealing water 'under' the tub. If it's a problem with the plumbing, sealing it may only make matters worse. If you have access to the underside of the tub, take a look around the tub above the trap where the valve is while the water is running.

Answer 5

where is the water coming from? before sealing between the tub and floor you need to stop the problem. then do necessary repairs. then caulk the area.

Answer 6

You will have to pull up the old "caulking" and have a look at the floor. If it's rotten from water, then you'll have to replace the part that's damaged, then recaulk it.. good luck!

Answer 7

It could be the seal around your drain, but it also may be the o-rings in your faucets as well. Do you get a steady dripping from your faucet? If so it is the o-rings in the faucet handles.

Answer 8

remove the trim for it is probably cathcing water...scrap away anything it leaves behind with a razor and caulk the seam with silicone bath and tile

Answer 9

remove the trim, I had the same problem.Trust me!