Leak and blockage

stephentbb2000

We noticed a little wet patch down stairs on the ceiling, more or less below the en suite. Its a new house and its 13 months since we moved in. We resealed all around the shower tray to rule out that. We now think its a blocked waste pipe which is leaking at a joint or else a leak at the water pipe T joint when the pump is active.

We want to rule out a blockage in the waste pipe coming from the shower which is slow to clear. Ant advice on products, tried a plunger and a coat hanger to no avail.

Any advice before we have to call in a plumber?

Billy Bunting

We want to rule out a blockage in the waste pipe coming from the shower which is slow to clear

A shower trap is cleanable from above, just remove the cover grill and you'll find a removable piece of tube that forms a shallow trap for the shower, clean and replace.

Joey the lips

There is a youtube video on how to clean an easy clean trap. I am in work this morning so cannot provide the link. Sorry.

Anyway. I dont think its the blockage.

Historically the wet patch is caused by a leak where the tray meets the tiles. It can also be caused outside the shower door where the tray meets the tile at the floor.

Its very rare to be the waste. This can happen on fitting but never after so much time.

Can you take a few pictures in your shower.

Around the corner of the wall and at the entrance to the floor.

Where do you live. If your close to me or i pass i will drop by... You dont need an exact address published.

Bear in mind the leak might not have happened now. It could be a slow leak which you have ultimatly sealed since...

Just on the pooling. You should not need chemicals or rods of any type to clean a tray. Its usually fitted with an easy clean trap as said and a plastic pen will pop the grate off without damaging it pull the insert out making for easy cleaning...

If you have a landline i can phone you later if your stuck.

CuteOne

I had a similar issue recently. Thought it was shower first, had it resealed even though it seemed fine already. Then was thinking it may be waste pipe. Had someone have a look around it turned out to be simply a loose fitting on the pipe behind the pedestal of the wash hand basin, which was very near shower. It's a small ensuite. When the hot tap was on a drip of water had been running down along the pipe behind pedestal and had only become apparent after time. Is the mark on your ceiling in any kind of pattern? Mine looked like circles, almost in a line, as water had come through in between the joices. I.m no expert at all but it might be worth thinking about. I feared the worst at the time and it was something so small in the end.

stephentbb2000

Thanks for the advice, poured the required amount of Mr Muscle down the drain to rule out a blockage. Here are a few pictures Joey to see if it sheds any light!

Buford T Justice

Is that just Silicone or grout between the tile and the tray? Looks to me like there's no bath seal there.

Do you know if you're shower tray has an upstand on it, or if its fitted with Classi Seal?

Looks like this could be the culprit.

stephentbb2000

No bath trim but sealant between the bottom tile and the shower tray, at the time i asked the builder was this OK and he a said that either way was OK. Is is ok???? Could this be the source of the leak??

Joey the lips

There is nothing wrong with any of those seals from the pictures i see,

The seal where the shower tray meets the tile on the floor is a little greyer than the rest. This would usually indicate water is there but i imagine this is just because you replaced all the seals recently

Having seen all this i would suspect either

1, The leak is from where the trap meats the waste pipe

2, The leak is somewhere else like behind a basin and dropping down behind pipes.

Roughly where do you live. Not exact address.

ps. It is not necessary to ever use mr muscle down a shower. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Gb3EWnb5o

stephentbb2000

Thanks joey and everyone else. Living in cork. I think i will give the builder a buzz tomorrow and take it from there.

pambailly

Joey,
Do you know anyone in county Kerry who would do this sealing job on the shower tray?

Joey the lips wrote: »

There is a youtube video on how to clean an easy clean trap. I am in work this morning so cannot provide the link. Sorry.

Anyway. I dont think its the blockage.

Historically the wet patch is caused by a leak where the tray meets the tiles. It can also be caused outside the shower door where the tray meets the tile at the floor.

Its very rare to be the waste. This can happen on fitting but never after so much time.

Can you take a few pictures in your shower.

Around the corner of the wall and at the entrance to the floor.

Where do you live. If your close to me or i pass i will drop by... You dont need an exact address published.

Bear in mind the leak might not have happened now. It could be a slow leak which you have ultimatly sealed since...

Just on the pooling. You should not need chemicals or rods of any type to clean a tray. Its usually fitted with an easy clean trap as said and a plastic pen will pop the grate off without damaging it pull the insert out making for easy cleaning...

If you have a landline i can phone you later if your stuck.