What should I check next to fix the leak in my daughter’s bathroom shower without opening up the ceiling with a difficult texture to repair?
Asked by Phoebe Patel 
3 months ago
Last Updated: September 22, 2024
I noticed some water spots on the ceiling of my first floor. I suspect there might be a leak coming from my daughter’s bathroom shower. I checked behind the shower wall yesterday but couldn’t find any signs of a leak. What do you think I should do next? Maybe check the drain? Do you think it’s a good idea to remove the cover in the photo to get a better look? I really don’t want to have to mess with the ceiling. It would be a pain to repair with that textured finish. Thanks for any advice.
Double-check that the floor around the shower is well-sealed with caulk. This problem occurred when my grandsons splashed too much water on the floor while showering.
Check for any potential entry points for water in the shower area before cutting into the ceiling. Is the grout sealed? Any issues with silicone or handles?
Sure, remove the light and try to get a clear view. Run the shower and toilet to see where the water is coming from. It may be necessary to cut out the ceiling, but if that’s the toughest part to fix, it’s not too bad. Bathroom leaks can cause significant damage, so catch it early!
Dead mice can also cause stains like that.
I’ve been dealing with these problems quite often. I fix one issue, only for another one to pop up a couple of days later. It’s a recurring cycle with different causes each time. Initially, it was a faulty wax ring on the toilet that wasn’t level with the tile (shortly after we moved in). Then, it turned out to be a problem with the tub’s drain. Now, the issue seems to be closer to the window, which makes me suspect that it’s related to my roommate leaving the window open while showering. It feels like a never-ending story 😥😥😥
You might want to consider hiring a leak detection plumber, but they can be expensive. Alternatively, you may need to open up the ceiling. The issue could be related to the shower drain or the toilet. Water has a tendency to travel along pipes or beams before dripping down, so the source of the leak may not be where the stain is located.
You should reach out to a skilled drywall specialist. Contact a local realtor for recommendations, as they often have connections with reliable professionals who can perform seamless repairs. This is a common issue that we encounter frequently (Advice from a Realtor)
It could also be the shower or tub
Consider using a small camera snake to investigate further. Run it while someone is showering. It’s likely a seal issue. Make sure to caulk the area, including the outside floor of the tub. Remove the drain to inspect the seal. There are many potential causes for this issue, but the key question is whether it only happens during shower use. There are several steps to take before considering opening up the wall.
The main issue in my house was the master shower drain.
Hey , how did you manage to fix that?
We recently fixed a leak that originated from the faucet when the shower was turned on. The water that was escaping from the tub faucet was flowing back through the wall due to an issue with the shower mechanism. My husband replaced a part of the shower mechanism and resealed around the faucet.
You might want to inspect the caulk where the tub/shower meets the floor. Also, make sure your kids remember to keep the plastic shower curtain inside the tub when they shower.
So, the incident took place in my bathroom and it turned out that the exhaust fan didn’t have sufficient power to push air outside the house.