Leaking En Suite Shower

[telewest]

this is so depressing! I have a loft conversion with an ensuite that, to be honest, wasn't particularly nicely decorated. Some months after having daily showers, I had a very long one, and after coming downstairs to the landing could hear dripping water - and soon found that water was dripping through the light fixture onto the floor of the family bathroom.

Killed 2 birds with 1 stone and had the en suite completely renovated 5 months ago (new tiles, new grout, new sealant, new Aqualux shower door) and all seemed fine. Then again last nite had a very long shower for the first time and again is leaking into the ceiling of the bathroom below. I've now noticed that the bedroom next to the bathroom has some water stains in the ceiling, so appears its leaking all the time when in use,
but noticeably more so if I have a longer shower.

Are there any tests I can do myself to check where the leak is from, before I get a plumber round? As its in the loft, the shower (mixer) pipes go through the tiles at the back wall (with mosaic tiles per picture) and I cant get access behind there to check leaks. Maybe pour water down the drain to see if it is the waste pipe rather than water getting behind the tiles?

1 - the leak is not directly below the shower tray in the en suite - not sure if that means its more likely to be the drain rather than water getting behind the tiles?

2 - I don't know if the tradesman I paid used sealant before applying mastic around the edges where the tiles join the shower tray (see pictures)

3 - the shower tray was not replaced (can't see any visible cracks

4 - Only drips through the light switch when I have a long shower, tiles are 60cm x 30cm so not many grouting lines.

Any help greatfully received - concerned now I've found the water mark that this has been ongoing every time I use the en suite (owned the house 13 months) and dread to think the damage it could be doing/has done to the floor joists etc...

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• telewest
• 27 Jun 2012
• 1

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• telewest
• 27 Jun 2012
• 1

 

[denso13]

Hard to tell but one common problem is not sealing the wall to tray joint before the door is fitted. This leaves an unseen gap behind the bottom of the door wall posts. Maybe let the shower run for a while, with the head in the tray, and at least rule out a leaking trap/waste?

 

[telewest]

Thanks - I'll do the drain test tonight.

I've done some research and seen lots of suggestions around the shower door, but I'm struggling to understand where specifically they mean.

He definitely did all of his sealing before the door was fitted (or even the wall bars) as fitting the door was his very last job. Per my post, the only thing Im not 100% on is whether the wall - tray joins on the 3 walls were grouted and/or sealed. The last thing he did was the mastic seal you may be able to see in the pictures, but I dont know if he siliconed before mastic...

 

[John506]

My suspisions are the waste.

Also, is it a mixer shower? If so were the pipes come out the wall and connect into the shower, are the backplates that sit on the tiles to hide the hole sealed up as water can run down there.

Easiest thing for you do to right now would be to remove the plinth around the shower tray and to have a look at the trap/waste pipe/fittings.

 

[denso13]

remove the plinth

Don't think there is a plinth by the looks of it?

 

[stardanny]

Inspect all shower wall tiles grout to check it is sealed and covered.

Run shower with head in tray to check that tray not leaking.

Can't you check pipework behind shower, could that shelf unit be removed?

Dan.

 

[telewest]

Hi - yes is a mixer shower. As the shower cubicle is in the corner of the en suite the 2 x pipes come through the back wall (mosaic tiles) and slopes, so is not very accessible as there's a large / shaped wood support behind.

I was hoping I could get to the waste by removing the tiles in front of the tray (the ones that meet the floor in the pics) in hopes that was deliberately built for access...

I think he used mastic stripes wound round with the backplates over the top (difficult to be 100%) one of them does not sit flush to the wall but I question whether the amount of water I saw last night could have come from back-spray? Regardless will definitely need some clear sealant around both to be safe.

 

[telewest]

**Update**

Not sure if this is good or bad news, but moved the wires out of the way and binded with electrical tape, then gave it a good 5min on its highest setting (cold water) directly down the plughole and not a single drop from the ceiling.....every time it has leaked its been noticeable literally the moment I get out of the shower, and its bone dry.

The remaining possibilities I guess are more difficult to pin down...took a few more pics , guess there's either a crack in the tray (its plastic white so difficult to see) or its sealant-related somewhere?

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• telewest
• 27 Jun 2012
• 1

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• telewest
• 27 Jun 2012
• 1

Untitled

• telewest
• 27 Jun 2012
• 1

Untitled

• telewest
• 27 Jun 2012
• 1

Untitled

• telewest
• 27 Jun 2012
• 1

 

[denso13]

Point the shower at the door only and let it run for a bit.

 

[telewest]

Point the shower at the door only and let it run for a bit.

Done - dry as a bone - pointed directly at centre of door on full power.

 

[denso13]

Difficult but probably a case of working round the tray with the water - trial and error. Is that black silicone round the top of the tray?

 

[telewest]

Difficult but probably a case of working round the tray with the water - trial and error. Is that black silicone round the top of the tray?

Was hoping you wouldn't suggest that

Its mastic tape round the top of the tray - again I don't know if the installer used sealant to join the tiles to the tray before putting the mastic over the top....

I guess if I just do one of the 3 walls at a time, should be relatively easy to spot where the leak is - (from the pics) I dont like the look of the ends where the door bars meet the tray - can't feel with my finger so cant tell if he put sealant on the tray-bottom of bar....you can see the mastic stops where it meets the door bars in the corners.

 

[denso13]

You could try and pinpoint the leak but I'd be inclined to remove the 'mastic tape' and seal it properly with silicone. You can do that without to much trouble.

 

[telewest]

You could try and pinpoint the leak but I'd be inclined to remove the 'mastic tape' and seal it properly with silicone. You can do that without to much trouble.

Thanks for all your help (and the other replies) think that's a sensible first step.

Out of interest - after I've re-sealed assume no issue (after leaving 48hrs to cure) with buying some more mastic tape (noticed the quotes - is it not called that?) and putting it over the sealant afterwards?

 

[denso13]

Never heard of it to be honest. You could use a good quality black sanitary silicone and you wouldn't need to cover it with anything.