We have a leak from the upstairs restroom to the downstairs ceiling—any idea what the source of the leak might be?
Bathroom plumbing solutions can be difficult because there are three appliances that can cause plumbing problems: the sink, the toilet, or the shower. Whenever you have a leak coming through the floor from an upstairs bathroom, you first need to check the toilet and shower.
Toilet: The connection between the toilet and the floor is sealed by a wax ring. The most common source of a leak of this nature is a faulty, worn-out wax ring which means that every time the toilet is flushed, water leaks into the ceiling.
Shower: If the leak continues while the fixture is not running, then the leak is coming from a water pipe. If, however, the leak only occurs while the water is running, the problem is probably a faulty tile in the shower or the shower faucet.
If you cannot find the source of the leak or have found it but cannot fix it, you may want to contact one of many plumbing contractors or plumbing companies.
Hi,
I had a leak in the ceiling downstairs right below a bathroom upstairs.
If the ceiling is opened to investigate/fix the issue, will Roto-Rooter also close the ceiling after the job is done? Or will I have to contact another home contractor to close the ceiling?
I live in Iselin, NJ 08830. Please reply to Raj_Suja@Hotmail.com Thanks
Thanks for your question. In most instances, Roto-Rooter does not repair or replace the ceiling or wall after repairing pipes and fixing leaks. We are plumbers and most of our locations do not have carpenters on staff to repair drywall or plaster. You would most likely need to contact a local carpenter or plumber to take care of that sort of work. We make every effort to limit the size of our wall cuts when we have to open a wall to reach pipes but plumbing is our business, not carpentry or remodeling so we’re not really equipped to make wall repairs.
Checking out water sources regularly is one way of preventing leaks. Being aware of pipe locations should become an aspect of regular maintenance.
I live in a rental unit and the hose to the washing machine above us broke and dumped water into our laundry room and kitchen by the gallons. Should there be any work done to the ceiling to prevent mold from growing between our ceiling and the upstairs’ neighbors floor? We live in a very wet, humid climate (Seattle).
We suggest that you have it checked out. We’re not mold experts but we do see mold growing frequently in areas where water has leaked. It’s always a good idea to have a wet area like that checked out by a water restoration expert to see if there has been any lasting damage or mold growth.
I have water leaks through family room ceiling from upstairs bathroom. Plumbers cut window in the ceiling and see water dropping from the play wood, but can’t locate the leaking source. Do I need find another plumber? Can I get help from some leak detect plumbers?
Most plumbers are pretty darned good leak detectors. An experienced plumber with years of experience can usually track down a leak. Some companies specialize in leak detection and have specialized equipment for listening beneath slabs and behind walls. Roto-Rooter fields a lot of this technology in many markets and in others Roto-Rooter partners with other companies and uses their services as sub-contractors.
We have a leak that occurs directly below where our bathtub is and only after running the water. The leak runs in a straight line and the ceiling bows (I’m terrified the bathtub is going to come down on top of me!) I originally thought the problem was due to standing water outside the tub seeping through, but after this last occurrence I checked the floor and it was completely dry. Our tub doesn’t drain very quickly, could that be part of the problem? What cost-effective and proactive steps can I take before I have a “bathe-in” kitchen?
Lauren,
The leak could be from the water supply pipes or it could be from the drain pipe. To help determine which source is the cause of the leak. Add water to the tub with the drain closed then check below to see if there is new evidence of a leak. Give it a half hour or so to show itself. If there is no evidence of a leak at that point in time then it’s probably safe to say it’s not a water supply leak. Then drain the tub, go downstairs and have a look. If evidence of the leak appears, you probably have a leak in your drain pipe. Since slow tub drains are common, it’s tough to say whether the slow drain is related to the ceiling leak. You’ll want to get a professional plumber in to track down the source of the leak and make repairs. He should be able to tell you if the leak has caused structural damage beneath the tub. If so, you may need a carpenter to come in and make additional repairs before just replacing the drywall in the ceiling beneath the tub.