Tricky plumbing situation

jd87

Hi all, I'm wondering if people might be able to advise about an issue we are having with a shower cubicle in our bathroom. A few months ago we noticed there seemed to be a slow dripping leak coming through our living room ceiling which seemed to be coming from the shower cubicle above it upstairs. After a number of attempts at resealing we still couldn't fix the problem, so we decided to get a new cubicle fitted (we needed a new one anyway really). This work has been done and we also had a new shower fitted as part of the job. Despite having a completely new shower unit (and all the water and waste pipes were checked) we still have this leak.

The plumbers have been back multiple times to try resealing different bits and other possible fixes but the leak just won't go away. They've been so many times now and they've basically now said that it's taking up to much of their time and they don't want to keep coming, which is understandable, but my shower is still leaking! What is reasonable for me to expect from them? I want them to just put it right but they don't seem to know how! So any words of wisdom? Two issues here: 1. What would you do - is it reasonable to keep asking them to try and fix it or should we just come to some kind of agreement? 2 - Anyone got any ideas on what could be wrong with my shower?

System

as much as you probably don't want to hear this, you really have to find the source of the leak, rather than trying different thing and hoping. the easiest way will be to take down a part of the ceiling where the water is coming through and having a really good effort at tracing the water, depending on the design of your house, there could be other sources of water in the bathroom walls or in the ceiling, it (may or) may not be coming from the shower itself - i wouldn't get the plumbers back until i had found exactly where the water was coming from then they would be able to address the problem with minimum time/money

evoke

The leak is coming from somewhere else.

Get a leak detection company in. It won't be cheap: £500 to £1,000, but they'll use dyes, ultrasonics and other clever devices to locate and fix the leak.

jd87

The ceiling is down (completely ruined) but the leak just seems to be coming from a dark corner. We'd have to take beams out to see further. I'm not sure that's even possible. It only leaks when the shower is in use and pointing a certain way which is why we're convinced is is the seals or the tiles or something. We can't possibly pay £500-1000 for anything. The job so far has been less than this. The return visits have been free of charge so far but they've had enough of it and so have we.

keystone

So it only lkeaks when the shower is in use? Fair chance that its the shower then. You paid someone to fit said shower. You now have a leak. The fact that you had a leak previously is irrelevant - he who touched it last becomes responsible for it. Get 'em back to fix it once and for all - throwing sealant about on top isn't helping. As has been said you/they have to find the source. If they are unwilling agree with them for you to get an alternative contractor in and send them the bill for settlement. Either way thats what they carry insurance for.

Cheers

greatgimpo

Simulate a shower with a few watering cans - that way you can eliminate the shower valve/pipes/fittings. If it leaks, it must be tiles, tray or waste. At least you may be half way there.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Did they re-tile & re-grout?

premkit

i have had a few where the tiles or the grout missing or patchy. 1984 could be on to something.

lagi

I have heard of pourous tiles, you may have a defective one if they haven't retiled.

Does it leak when shower is on and nobody is in it?

I would go greatgimpos way, simulate a shower even with a hose, you can tape up certain areas to point you closer.

Aquatronixjenny

I was about to say that!

Sounds like a problem with the grout or tiles to me. Even a tiny hole in the grout can cause a major flood... I've seen a huge amount of damage caused by bad or missing grout.

phill99

If you identified where you are based, someone may be able to recommend a tradesman who could assist in your local area.