About 9-10 months ago we noticed a tiny mark on the hall ceiling more or less underneath the shower upstairs. It was minor and appeared to be a line where the ceiling boards joined. I couldn't see any problems, and although I couldn't see any gaps, I redid the silicon sealing around the shower tray upstairs, very untidily but it looked well sealed.
About 6 months months later, I came home to find water pouring through the hall ceiling after my wife had used the shower. Still puzzled where the water was getting through, I called a plumber and he pointed out that the tile grouting around the shower alcove walls was worn and porous in places and showering had caused water to gradually seep through to build up on the ceiling below causing the final 'cascade.' This must have been building up a long period, possibly years. He said the shower needed retiling which was not covered by the insurance cover under which I had called him out. He said that the shower tiles should have been periodically resealed possibly every 18 months. I am now faced with the cost of having the shower retiled (£1700) and finding a way to repair or patch the ceiling below.
A lesson learned the hard way ! The house was built in 1983 and the ceiling is what I believe is called Artex finish. Knowing the possible risks with Artex, I am trying to think of a safe and easy way to diy patch the ceiling rather than have the whole ceiling renewed which would be very disruptive in the hallway apart from the cost. Photos attached. The circular 'drop' is about 12 inches diameter and seems to be paper thin. A thin patch could be disguised, I thought, by using thick 'sealant' type paint with say, wood shavings mixed in to simulate the rough artex finish.
Any ideas appreciated
Comments on the need to 'reseal' grout are also welcome.
About 6 months months later, I came home to find water pouring through the hall ceiling after my wife had used the shower. Still puzzled where the water was getting through, I called a plumber and he pointed out that the tile grouting around the shower alcove walls was worn and porous in places and showering had caused water to gradually seep through to build up on the ceiling below causing the final 'cascade.' This must have been building up a long period, possibly years. He said the shower needed retiling which was not covered by the insurance cover under which I had called him out. He said that the shower tiles should have been periodically resealed possibly every 18 months. I am now faced with the cost of having the shower retiled (£1700) and finding a way to repair or patch the ceiling below.
A lesson learned the hard way ! The house was built in 1983 and the ceiling is what I believe is called Artex finish. Knowing the possible risks with Artex, I am trying to think of a safe and easy way to diy patch the ceiling rather than have the whole ceiling renewed which would be very disruptive in the hallway apart from the cost. Photos attached. The circular 'drop' is about 12 inches diameter and seems to be paper thin. A thin patch could be disguised, I thought, by using thick 'sealant' type paint with say, wood shavings mixed in to simulate the rough artex finish.
Any ideas appreciated
Comments on the need to 'reseal' grout are also welcome.
Attachments
Last edited:
