How do you fix a bathtub that is leaking water through the ceiling below?

Question

We have a one piece bathtub/shower combo that when water was left in the tub with drain closed, leaked through the ceiling in the living room somehow. Where could the leak be and is a plumber necessary?

Answer 1

Assuming there are no cracks in the tub, it sounds like the water is leaking between the tub and the drain. During assembly, plumber's putty or silicone is put under the drain flange to produce a water-tight seal. It is possible it was forgotten during installation, or just deteriorated over time, (Mine is about 40 years old). If this is the culprit, you may be able to partially unscrew the drain basket, clean the underside of the drain flange and the area of the tub underneath the flange, and squirt in bathroom grade silicone, tighten the drain basket back down.
If this scenario doesn't work, you will need to open up a wall or ceiling to get at the drain from underneath to replace. If your ceiling is damaged to the point of removal just use the hole created by that for access.

Answer 2

The leak could be coming from the seal between the drain pipe and the tub. If there is a seeping leak, over time a significant amount of water could run along the outside of the pipe and drop off to the ceiling.

Can you remove the front panel of the tub to see what is wet?

It is often possible.

If you can it is fairly simple to undo the drain connection and redo the seal from the tub side.

Most seals are done with plumbers putty which never really hardens. It might suffice to merely put a forked tool (Biggish pliers) down through the drain hole from the top and tighten the connection (clockwise) until a bit of gray goo extrudes.

You could unscrew a few turns as well and tuck a circle of plumbers putty all the way around under the outer rim, then tighten it up again. The risk here is that if you unscrew too far - it is harder to reconnect.

Answer 3

We had a similar problem. We called in a plumber, and it turned out that their was a leak in the overflow from the tub. So when the drain was closed, the water went out the overflow, and instead of draining down pipes, it leaked into the room below.

You may also need to fix the floor and ceiling, especially if it leaked for a while or several times. You don't want to grow mould.

Answer 4

If the bathtub were cracked, you'd see evidence of it. That said, the leak must be coming from the drain itself. This can either be the flange that comes off of it, or the drain pipe itself.

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago and the plumber opened the ceiling below, tightened the fitting, and then gave me a bill. I suppose you could tackle this yourself if you feel like you're able. I didn't know what was wrong, so I paid $60 for something that I know now that I could have done myself.

Answer 5

You will most likely have to go up thru the cieling below or thru the wall of the room next to the bathroom. If you dont know about plumbing and sheetrock then you will need a plumber. Its most likely an easy fix but a mess.

Answer 6

I had a similar problem, you will need a plumber as there is something wrong with the pipes. Im sorry I don't remember the exact terms. But you should have that done before it causes any more damage or mold.

Answer 7

Its probably leaking from the drain. Unless your an experienced repairman you'd probably need to call a plumber.

Answer 8

It's probably not the bath itself, it's either the tap connections, waste connection or the perimeter seal, remove the bath panel and have a look. Use a torch it could make tracing the problem eaier to find

Answer 9

you need a plumber!