This is a little hillbilly (no offense to any hillbillies on the board) but shortly after we moved in and didn't have a plan for the bathroom reno, our shower was leaking into the basement. The grout was failing and repairing it would have been a big giant PITA especially given that we did't have a plan on a reno and have an odd size shower too.
So we got the clear epoxy stuff that you use on a fish pond and coated the floor and walls about halfway up with it and 2+ years later it is holding up just fine (and we still don't have a plan for the bathroom).
@juno We painted it up about 4-5 feet from the floor all the way around and all the way to ythe top of the tile in the corners (tile doesn't go to the ceiling.) We put it on extra thick where the floor met the wall. We also put it on this around the curb.
Post by demandypants on Sept 22, 2014 12:10:22 GMT -5
We moved into a house with a decorative shower stall. We knew about it coming into this place, and it was going to be redone this fall... but hello twins... and goodbye money for the reno. Ours is either a grout issue or the drain corroded. The other tub/shower drain was copper and had been eaten away by drano from the previous owner. So it would not surprise me if it is also the cause of the leak from the shower stall. Anyway, I am rambling. I am sorry that your new shower is being so troublesome.
Post by downtoearth on Sept 22, 2014 12:50:34 GMT -5
How long did you test the pan? We had a leak in a shower that was slow... it would show up about 30-min to 2-hours in the basement after a shower. So testing for 4-6 hours is best - just leaving the water there to see if/when it comes.
Also silicon caulk in the vertical corners is what worked for us. This was awhile ago, but I also thought they had a stone/tile seal that you could add, but we didn't try that. I'd try both of those first before I hired the same contractor.
We tested the pan for at least 4 hours and not a drop. When I'm showering, the leak starts almost immediately (according to DH, I haven't been down there during his shower). So I don't think it's a slow leak. I guess we'll try sealing a little higher and wider, but I'm not hopeful.
It could be the drain itself, but I really don't know. Good luck trying to figure it out or trying to figure out if replacing with the same contractor is a good plan.
you can't use a preformed pan at all? could it be where the wall hits the pan - i.e. leaking from where the tile meets perpendicular to parallel to the floor? Is it properly prepped underneath with durock (sp?) and the mastic?
ETA: we are still finishing renovating and are having a company come out tomorrow to rip out tile from the lake bath (that was just put in 6 months ago!) and had a marble company come measure to create the neo-shower base & are doing the walls the same. It's a tiny bathroom and my H wants NO leaks possible, so this is the best scenario. Plus keeping it clean from giving dogs' baths as well.
Post by pitterwoo on Sept 22, 2014 20:55:15 GMT -5
since you said it starts leaking pretty quickly, could you go up there with a couple jugs of water or a watering can and just pour water in one place while your H watches downstairs? Use grey water of course
Could it be in the handle or shower head pipes? Maybe running longer creates an overflow that runs to the nearest seam...but then you would see it in the plugged-drain scenario, unless you didn't run it as long or as strong as a shower you are in. Good luck!
Post by bunnymendelbaum on Sept 23, 2014 6:17:33 GMT -5
I like pitter's suggestion.
How much water are you getting in the basement?
Right now in our rentals bath, we get water on the floor outside it when we shower, not bath. I figured out its from water bouncing off of our bodies onto the ledge and making its way through a tiny hole in the caulk. It's amazing how much water just from that.
Also, I highly recommend going with the schluter kerty system if you have to redo it.