[bobfixit]

rstout69 posted a bathtub leak problem, in aug. '08 and that is exactly what mine is doing.
It leaks in the basement below the shower. You can see that the water has traveled. So we tore off the bottom of the wall in the bedroom on the other side of the tub/shower. UGH all moldy insulation,etc. We cleared it all up and took a look see while we turned on the shower. Like rstout69, nothing happened until someone stood inthe shower. But your solution,
to make sure that sure you caulk good where (in our case ceramic tile wall) wall meets tub lip. We have done this several times in the last 2 yrs...YOW...each time I would fill the tub with water while I caulked and it set. Only to have the problem return. It is NOT the drain, or the over flow, or any gaskets by the spout fixtures. We can see clearly thru the wall now that the water IS coming from the lip when someone is in the shower. How else can we caulk good between the ceramic tiles and the lip.
Immediate help needed
thank you
Bob :thumbsup:

 

[Bob Mariani]

What material is this tub? What type of caulking are you using? One of these is the wrong type for use with the other or your method of application is wrong. Did you clean the area first? Did you remove all old caulking? Did you tool the caulking?

 

[bobfixit]

leaking bathtub

The tub is cast iron, then ceramic tile 3" squares, using 'alex plus acrylic latex caulk plus silicone' gray says it is for windows, doors, molding, siding, baseboards. The last time I re-caulked it I pulled off all the old caulking, used a power forced compressor like to dry it. Let it dry good for about 3 days. Then filled the tub with water up to overflow. then caulked, and left it with the water in it to weight it...for about 2 days.
Knowing that it now was gonna be a major project, I cut the wall along side of the tub in the bedroom to see if I could see the leak, and saw the big time leaking when the shower was turned on, and had someone step in the tub. Then I noticed that the caulking was cracked all the way at the top of the edge of the tub. I have done the re-caulking before with great care, only to have it start leaking again in a few weeks.
The tub was put in in1994, and it is funny that it really has hardly no lip, the ceramic come right down on top of it..and both are the same width.

 

[Bob Mariani]

That caulking will not last anyway. Use 100% silicone not acrylic silicone. Clean both surfaces with denatured alcohol. Tool the joint with the back of a metal spoon dipped in the alcohol. Now it will last.

 

[bobfixit]

Ok, thanks for the advice. I will try the right caulking, and the other things you said. Will let you know. thanks alot :thumbsup:

 

[kenmac]

That caulking will not last anyway. Use 100% silicone. Tool the joint with the back of a metal spoon dipped in the alcohol.

I agree 100% silicone for bathroon around any water source.. Never tried the spoon dipped in alcohol trick B-4 . I'll have to try that 1

 

[Bob Mariani]

Another thing to be concerned with is waterproofing of the wall behind the tile. Water will move through grout even after sealing. Do you know what is behind the tile?

 

[bobfixit]

I HAD greenboard behind the tile, and now I just put cement board...
after that drys I will start replacing my ceramic tiles...about 80 of them!
Will keep you posted.
thanks again
bob

 

[Bob Mariani]

Be sure to leave a gap around all edges of the cement board. Seal seams with mesh tape and thinset. Then coat well with Redgard to waterproof. Leave the CBU up off the tub edge at least 1/8" so water does not wick up the board.

 

[bobfixit]

leaking bathtub

Hey, thanks to all who offered advice. I finally FINISHED the bathroom.
I put up 'cement board' on the wall, where it meets the tub, and then did the necessary 'fixins' for that. I left the CBU up off the tub edge at least 1/8" so water does not wick up the board. then put back up all the ceramic tiles and re grouted. Sealed the grout, and then after all that dried, I put 2 100# weights in the tub, and then filled the tub with water....then used the 'new' 100% silicone caulking around the edge of the tub. so just waiting for the first shower to be done and then it's a wait and see process. Before with the 'wrong' silicone caulking usually about 1-3 months after, it would start leaking. That is when ''as I have found out now'' the caulking would crack, and it was sooo hairline we cud never see it.
Will keep you posted, and THANKS A MILLION FOR ALL THE ADVICE....
I am a DIY man and have always been, but HATE PLUMBING.. my motto on plumbing is....'one thing leads to another!"
Bob:thumbsup:

 

[al's sewer]

Hey, thanks to all who offered advice. I finally FINISHED the bathroom.
I put up 'cement board' on the wall, where it meets the tub, and then did the necessary 'fixins' for that. I left the CBU up off the tub edge at least 1/8" so water does not wick up the board. then put back up all the ceramic tiles and re grouted. Sealed the grout, and then after all that dried, I put 2 100# weights in the tub, and then filled the tub with water....then used the 'new' 100% silicone caulking around the edge of the tub. so just waiting for the first shower to be done and then it's a wait and see process. Before with the 'wrong' silicone caulking usually about 1-3 months after, it would start leaking. That is when ''as I have found out now'' the caulking would crack, and it was sooo hairline we cud never see it.
Will keep you posted, and THANKS A MILLION FOR ALL THE ADVICE....
I am a DIY man and have always been, but HATE PLUMBING.. my motto on plumbing is....'one thing leads to another!"
Bob:thumbsup:

I believe it will still leak. What you need to do is take the escutcheons off that are around your tub valve and fill those holes up with caulk if it is a three handle valve if a single handle put caulk all the way around the perimeter of the hole. then put you escutcheons back on and caulk around your escutcheons.