Water in shower leaking though tiles need help?


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Old 12-03-19, 07:41 AM
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Water in shower leaking though tiles need help?

When I take a shower I get water dripping though my kitchen ceiling. I removed the leaking part of the ceiling there is no holes in the pipe. I filled the shower with water and let it drain and no leaks . I ran water on the caulking and no leaks. when I showered water on the shower tiles it leaks. the shower was tiled when I brought the house. From what I understand if this is the case I will have to remove the old tile and fix the problem which is behind the tiles. Can I tile over the old tile to solve the problem? or will I have to remove the old tile?
 
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Old 12-03-19, 08:07 AM
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No you cannot just tile over the tile to fix the problem.

No holes in what pipe?
Where is the calking?
When you shower water but not on the tiles does it leak?

I doubt it is leaking tiles unless you have areas where the grout is missing.
Also if water was going through the tiled wall it would take some time for the dripping to happen and you would probably see swelling out of the tiles.
 
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Old 12-03-19, 08:24 AM
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Tiles do not leak, the grout if missing, not sealed, or no vapor barrier behind it will.
Can you see exactly what area the waters coming from?
If it's on the side where the plumbing is I'd be checking for leaking pipes or cartridge.
 
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Old 12-03-19, 08:26 AM
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If you can't find missing grout you are pretty much stuck tearing it out unless you want to install one of those 'plastic' shower surrounds over the tile.
 
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Old 12-03-19, 08:46 AM
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No holes in what pipe?

Sorry to mention the drain pipe is right where the leak is coming from.

Where is the calking?

Calking is around the shower tub where tiles meet.

When you shower water but not on the tiles does it leak?

No leaks when not on the tiles.

Right now I am doing some testing. i will check back in with any results but so far it seems to leak when I spray water on the middle tiles no leaks so far when sprayed on bottom half of shower tiles.
 
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Old 12-03-19, 08:50 AM
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If it's on the side where the plumbing is I'd be checking for leaking pipes or cartridge.

No the test so far I sprayed on the other sides from the plumbing and it;s leaks
 
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Old 12-03-19, 09:09 AM
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Send some pics of where the water seems to be leaking. Is the leaking on the same side as the shower faucet or the opposite wall?

Sounds to me you need to remove old tile, replace wallboard, re-tile, re-grout, caulk and re-seal. If the pipes don't leak and you are getting enough water to leak through to the ceiling below, then there must be some large gaps in the tile grout. Which means the wallboard or plaster is most likely ruined.
 
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Old 12-03-19, 09:11 AM
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You said the drain pipe is leaking. Where is the drain pipe leaking? Is the pipe cracked, is it leaking at a joint, is it leaking where it meets the bottom of the shower?
 
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Old 12-03-19, 09:27 AM
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No I said where I removed the ceiling there is a drain pipe there but I am 100% sure it's not leaking
 
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Old 12-03-19, 09:44 AM
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More testing looks to me it's leaking on the opposite side of of the shower faucet. When i spray water on it around the middle it leaks.Name:  20191203_121638.jpg
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Old 12-03-19, 10:13 AM
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OK, so lets get a close up of the opposite wall and see if the grout is deteriorated. Is the base, where the wall or tile meet the shower bed sealed?

BTW... that's the size tile I plan on using when I remod the bath in the master bedroom.
 
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Old 12-03-19, 04:13 PM
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So first off, we must understand that tile, grout, and caulk are not considered the primary water barrier in a shower, just like a roof drip edge, fascia board, and siding , that material is there to shed water, it is not the primary water barrier which is your various house wraps.

It's what is behind the tile, grout, and caulk that is your first defense, it that barrier is leaking it doesn't mater how big the tiles are, how good the grout is or how well the caulk seals eventually the water will take the path of least resistance and cause a leak.

You need to identify where the leak is and start stripping off the tile to see what kind of primary water barrier exists and what is required to repair/replace including any materials that have water damage due to the leak!
 
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Old 12-03-19, 04:39 PM
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This could of been leaking for 5 years when I brought the house. Marq1 you make a good point. I think it would be best to redo the shower I get the feeling when I remove the tile I will find damage and mold. on top of playing the tile matching game. I was going to renovate the bathroom in the future I guess I will look into doing it more sooner than later. Thanks
 
 

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