We bought the house that jack built!

[K3Zor]

Hi folks. I'm reaching out in desperation. We bought our first home and moved in 3 weeks ago. The latest issue that has arisen came last night when after showering I went downstairs to find our kitchen floor wet (it's directly below our bathroom)
I have taken away what I assumed was a good tiling job to get to the root of the leak only to find the attached photo - incredibly damp and funky. I'm concerned as to how long this leak has been going on and have also attached a photo of the kitchen ceiling. Should I take the panel of the bath off to get in there and see if the actual floor boards joists are rotting? Should I have the kitchen electrics turned off? Should there be a damp course behind my shower tiles? So many questions.... So little knowledge! :'( Do I need a tiler? Plumber? Carpenter?

All advice greatly appreciated.

Kez

 

[johnny2007]

WTF?!?!
Are those little dots silicone or tile adhesive???
You need to remove the bath panel, run water and check where the leak is.
Once you know this, you can deal with it.
It might be failed silicone on the bath edge, but as you've discovered how the tiles are attached, you better take at least 2 lines off and reattach them properly.
A tiler will do this in half a day if everything goes well.
You could carefully remove the tiles yourself and clean them so to make their job easier.
For the leak, you'll need a plumber, unless it's from the bath edge, in which case the tiler will sort it.

 

[TeaAndBiscuits]

Ooof, where to start with this?

First I'm a bit puzzled by the photo - it looks like there's evidence of a combed pattern of tile adhesive on the backs of the tiles but at the same time they look like they've been dot and dabbed. Perhaps they were originally fixed with a combed bed of adhesive, but fell off (perhaps wrong adhesive used) then re attached with little dabs?

Whatever the case, with the amount of mould behind there, it's been leaking for a while. Presumably this isn't the first time you've used the shower in 3 weeks? Is it the only shower? Was there any sign of water damage on the kitchen ceiling previously?

Anyway, really they all need pulling off before they fall on you in the shower. The substrate behind needs sorting too before it could be retiled. Is the tiled wall a solid external wall or internal (plasterboard)? Since you've just bought your first house I guess cash is probably tight so perhaps you could effect an economical remedy with some shower panels well sealed to the bath rather than retile.

Definitely pull off the bath panel and have a good look under there to trace the leak. Hopefully just some localised floorboard damage and no joist damage (having had similar situation and had to repair it in my own house). This tilework and failed sealant look like the smoking gun for the water leak and would suggest that a plumber is not required although many tilers do a bit of plumbing and vice versa.

Probably not necessary to turn the kitchen electrics off unless water is running down the walls or dripping on appliances etc. If it's getting to light fixtures that's a different circuit anyway.

 

[K3Zor]

Ok so I've removed the bath panel and found the attached photos I can push my finger through the plaster board on the floor, there appears to be a black liner behind one wall which appear dry and we'll... The leaking wall has no black liner and historical leaking. I'm going to remove the bottom two rows of tiles as you've advised. Looks like I'm taking the afternoon off work! I'm just gutted and trying to find a good plumber in Belfast is like hen's teeth!
In the mean time... Should I be trying to dry this nightmare out with a heater or anything?

Kind regards
Kerrie

 

[K3Zor]

It's definitely just chipboard behind the tiles as it's an internal wall, like a partition wall between it and the bedroom. The blobs just fell off the chipboard and are bouncy like silicon and not actual cement based adhesive. You would think I knew what I was talking about there for a second but I'm a 30 year old, female computer programmer with zero knowledge of DIY!
Soooo if tiles will not adhere to a damp chipboard until I can get it replaced... As you've suggested, should I go to B&Q and get shower panels in the hope that we can use the shower without it leaking over the festive period? It's the only shower/bath you see

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

If it were me, rather than going into full panic mode and trying to get something sorted this side of Christmas which frankly is likely to be a bit half arsed unless you start from afresh, I'd get yourself say a 2m high shower curtain and tape/fix it to the wall at head height around the shower area so that it drapes down into the bath. That will prevent any further damage, allow things to dry out and will allow you to use the shower until you can really establish the full extent of the damage and fix it properly in a considered manner.

 

[TeaAndBiscuits]

The reason I recommended panels instead of tiling is that it will be much quicker and cheaper to do than a retile and getting a tradesman in over the Christmas period will probably be tough enough as it is. Do you have power tools etc to fit the panels?

In the meantime you could always just have baths or sitting down showers using the hand held shower, ensuring that you keep all the water in the bath.

Or in a real pinch to get you through the Christmas/New Year period until you can get this sorted you could buy a cheap shower curtain and tape it to the wall high up all the way around

 

[K3Zor]

I'm not gonna lie. I'm in full panic mode right about now a drill with a few bits is the full extent of my tool box!
I shall buy the longest shower curtains I can find and some gorilla tape, let it dry out and continue my hunt for a tiler and plumber.

Many thanks for all your help, it is very much appreciated

Kind regards
Kerrie

 

[Mr Chibs]

Plastic sheet if you can't find a shower curtain long enough.

Don't pull your hair out, this is sortable. There are lots of folk who will give advice, if you are the have a go sort... have a go.

Good luck.

 

[Old Salt]

Use some methylated spirit to wipe over the tiles just where the duct tape will go.

It will help the duct tape stick and stay in place. Then you can sort out the longer term fix either diy or professional. If professional get some recommendations from friends and family first.

 

[K3Zor]

Excellent call, thank you!