Leak from brand new bathroom!

sg0102

Morning all
We had our bathroom completely refurbished about 3 months ago and we're delighted with the end result. However...
In the last week or so we have had a small damp patch appearing on the ceiling directly beneath the new shower. This does coincide roughly with a few days of the plug hole being blocked with hair (now cleared).
I'm aiming to get our plumber (who refurbished the bathroom) over tomorrow. But would welcome any heads up advice in advance if possible. I'm particular nervous as it is a fully ceramic tiles floor and wall!

- is this likely to be a result of the hair blockage?
- if it isn't, how should I play things with plumber ( eg is he liable to sort out??). We have a great relationship so don't want to cause undue stress.
- what is the best way to find and resolve the issue? ( eg. What's the potential cost and disruption?).

For added context my wife is due in 4 weeks time so could do without all of this!!

Thanks in advance
Steve

ariba10

The first thing I would like to know is how you "Cleared the blockage"?

MisterBaxter

Are you able to access the bottom side of the trap? It could well be that the joint on the waste is weeping slightly. Did the damp patch stop growing after the blockage was removed, if water was lying then it would have had more chance to take advantage of a weeping joint.
Are you able to see the pipework that feeds the shower to check to see if any of those joints are weeping? (although a water leak would usually be constant so unlikely)
Is the sealing around the joints between wall/tray/floor still intact or have any gaps formed due to movement? (again would most likely leak every time the shower is used)

If the shower was only installed 3 months ago I would call the plumber back and ask them to take a look.

You say it has a fully tiled floor but not sure if that means a level access shower or a tray and floor tiles to the rest of the bathroom. I know a lot of modern shower wastes have top access to the trap but that may not be helpful if the trap needs to be refitted; hopefully there is access to the bottom of the trap as well. The amount of disruption is going to be linked to how easy it is to access the various areas of pipework that could be the culprit.

sg0102

Thanks both.

The "blockage" was caused by a load of hair in the shower waste, I simply took the top off and removed all the hair?!

This was cleared about 10 days ago. We noticed a bit of a crack around the plasterwork in the ceiling about a week ago (maybe a bit more) and small damp patch has formed. It seems to have got a bit bigger the last few days, but is still relatively small. About a 10-15 cm semi circle.

Can't see any pipe work, and the shower tray didn't have a riser kit, so my guess is the tray (and tiles?) may need to come up/off to get a proper look, just not sure.

MisterBaxter

Would it be possible to form an access panel in the ceiling below. It may save having to take the tray/tiles up and would give access to the trap in future as well. You could repair the damaged ceiling at the same time.

sg0102

Sounds like an intriguing possibility, though I don't know exactly what you mean!! Would it be like a loft hatch almost??

Le_Kirk

Like a loft hatch but not as big. Cut a square of ceiling (plasterboard) big enough to access the trap, fix the leak, fit some noggins between joist, screw a new piece of plasterboard onto the noggins, paint to match existing ceiling. As long as the screw heads are accessible the same access can be used again and again.

Rolandtheroadie

If you've removed something to clean hair out, it sounds like it's not sealed right when you put it back on.

Get it fixed and treat yourself to something like this.

http://www.victorianplumbing.co.uk/wenko-pack-of-2-stainless-steel-bath-shower-hair-sieve-3902020100.aspx?campaign=googlebase&gclid=CMz_6s-Lx8kCFSWg2wodU8MCyQ

globalds

when you say you took the top off.

Could you post a photo of the thing you took off and cleaned ?

It sounds like it is now not watertight.
either you have broken a silicon seal without knowing it or if it has a locking screw that is now not tight enough.

I would ask the fitter to come round and check, but also ask him to explain the correct way to clean it out. If it has blocked after three months then this might be something you are doing a few times a year.

sg0102

Thanks all.

Trying to load a picture what I took off and cleaned. Sounds like a feasible issue. But having issues doing so? Any advice?!

MisterBaxter

Were you able to pretty much dismantle the whole trap from above and remove the little bucket from inside to clean it out? Many modern shallow, high-flow traps are fully accessible from above so that the trap itself can be cleaned without the need to access the underside; useful feature when fitting as a floor drain or tray without riser kit; if this type of trap hasn't been used then it may be wise to ask for one.

If the trap wasn't tightened properly when installed or didn't have any plumbers mait to bed it in then opening the trap up to clean it may have dislodged it slightly allowing the joint to weep.

As for access panels I was thinking of something like this http://www.jupiterblue.co.uk/access-panels-and-inspection-hatches-c1/circular-c20/scapb-circular-access-panels-for-round-openings-beaded-frame-p35 but a simple piece of plasterboard fitted with cup and screw would do the job.