Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Bathroom leak
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hj2004
09-24-04, 06:39 PM
Guys, I am in a terrible situation. Before I let you know my bathroom issue, I just wanted to clarify that I am in NO position to afford a heavy repair job (student). If anything, I have to do it myself or I can kiss university (and my life) good bye.
Anyway, my master bedroom's bathroom has vinyl flooring. There are severe water marks (which form underneath the flooring which you can see through the floor (exterior is oven dry)). This leads me to believe that underneath the flooring, it is tremendously wet. All this can easily be blamed on shower habits of the users of the washroom - who leave a puddle lying around and don't bother drying it up after a shower. More importantly, I just examined and realized there is NO caulking around the toilet base! The tub and toilet are perhaps 20 cm away. Also a lot of caulking between the tub and flooring seems worn out.
Most importantly, directly beneath the washroom is the living room. After returning from LONG vacations, I now see 3 (1 big, 2 small) circular yellow marks. Probably water has reached down there. Today, I even saw a smaller circle in between the "older" spots, and this one was fresh (wet).
My question is, what do I DO? I was thinking, and this is only because I cannot afford a big bill right now, to properly caulk the washroom (especially the toilet) and get away with it. Is this a good idea? What else can you suggest - please take into consideration my financial situation.
Any urgent replies would thoroughly be appreciated.
Thank You.
Anyway, my master bedroom's bathroom has vinyl flooring. There are severe water marks (which form underneath the flooring which you can see through the floor (exterior is oven dry)). This leads me to believe that underneath the flooring, it is tremendously wet. All this can easily be blamed on shower habits of the users of the washroom - who leave a puddle lying around and don't bother drying it up after a shower. More importantly, I just examined and realized there is NO caulking around the toilet base! The tub and toilet are perhaps 20 cm away. Also a lot of caulking between the tub and flooring seems worn out.
Most importantly, directly beneath the washroom is the living room. After returning from LONG vacations, I now see 3 (1 big, 2 small) circular yellow marks. Probably water has reached down there. Today, I even saw a smaller circle in between the "older" spots, and this one was fresh (wet).
My question is, what do I DO? I was thinking, and this is only because I cannot afford a big bill right now, to properly caulk the washroom (especially the toilet) and get away with it. Is this a good idea? What else can you suggest - please take into consideration my financial situation.
Any urgent replies would thoroughly be appreciated.
Thank You.
Doug Aleshire
09-24-04, 09:17 PM
hj2004,
I don't have an easy fix for a do-it-yourselfer who may not have adequate tools nor money for what I propose.
You need to check out what is happening underneath the finish flooring. Leaking through the ceiling below, bad thing. The other issue is are you sure that the toilet is not leaking or is just bad showering habits? Trying to just use caulk for a temp fix is not going to cut it.
Once you have removed the toilet, take up the flooring. I realize that this may mean the vanity or anything else that is the way. Inspect the underlayment and subfloor. I assume that underlayment was put down under the vinyl. We are talking replacement of both because the wood obviously has gotten wet below. No telling what is damaged but you need to do this right or it will cost you more later.
Basically, demo, inspect, replace and put back to new state. Use good caulk when done - silicone is the best.
Hope this helps!
I don't have an easy fix for a do-it-yourselfer who may not have adequate tools nor money for what I propose.
You need to check out what is happening underneath the finish flooring. Leaking through the ceiling below, bad thing. The other issue is are you sure that the toilet is not leaking or is just bad showering habits? Trying to just use caulk for a temp fix is not going to cut it.
Once you have removed the toilet, take up the flooring. I realize that this may mean the vanity or anything else that is the way. Inspect the underlayment and subfloor. I assume that underlayment was put down under the vinyl. We are talking replacement of both because the wood obviously has gotten wet below. No telling what is damaged but you need to do this right or it will cost you more later.
Basically, demo, inspect, replace and put back to new state. Use good caulk when done - silicone is the best.
Hope this helps!
hj2004
09-24-04, 09:19 PM
Thank you so much. I am very grateful for your reply. It looks like I'll have to magically bring out money from somewhere now or risk paying more later.
By the way, I'm almost 90% sure it is bad showering habits. It's because I saw a puddle the other day, and the same day that small, fresh circle appeared in the cealing below.
I am seirously thinking that the lack of caulking around the toilet was the problem. But, I guess, now that all is wet, I must replace it right?
By the way, I'm almost 90% sure it is bad showering habits. It's because I saw a puddle the other day, and the same day that small, fresh circle appeared in the cealing below.
I am seirously thinking that the lack of caulking around the toilet was the problem. But, I guess, now that all is wet, I must replace it right?
Doug Aleshire
09-24-04, 09:23 PM
hj2004,
You welcome! If you can, get others to donate to the cause!
It may be wise to hire a good handyman that is reasonable. Just make sure they know what they are doing. Check them out first.
Sorry, didn't finish.
The vinyl flooring will start to come loose and the wood starts to soak the water up, expanding. This can cause problems including squeaking floors. My concern is that this didn't "just happen" so the water has been there for awhile and now you are seeing evidence of it.
Good Luck!
You welcome! If you can, get others to donate to the cause!
It may be wise to hire a good handyman that is reasonable. Just make sure they know what they are doing. Check them out first.
Sorry, didn't finish.
The vinyl flooring will start to come loose and the wood starts to soak the water up, expanding. This can cause problems including squeaking floors. My concern is that this didn't "just happen" so the water has been there for awhile and now you are seeing evidence of it.
Good Luck!
twelvepole
09-25-04, 03:44 PM
As indicated, the seal around the toilet could be leaking or there could be a plumbing problem. Turn on the shower and close the curtain or door and see what happens. Sometimes people don't properly close the shower curtain. If you have a shower door, inspect track to make sure drain holes in track are not clogged. Where there is moisture, there will be eventual rotting of wood in addition to damage to ceiling below.
If you don't own the house, contact the owner to report the problems. If you don't, you will likely get the blame for the problem and may be stuck with the bill. If you own the home, then the problem should be resolved to protect your investment. Perhaps if you removed the vinyl floor covering, you could better assess what is going on. With luck, it won't be a major problem and all that expensive to correct. Many stores sell vinyl remnants at a low cost to get rid of them.
You will find lots of help here on the forums.
If you don't own the house, contact the owner to report the problems. If you don't, you will likely get the blame for the problem and may be stuck with the bill. If you own the home, then the problem should be resolved to protect your investment. Perhaps if you removed the vinyl floor covering, you could better assess what is going on. With luck, it won't be a major problem and all that expensive to correct. Many stores sell vinyl remnants at a low cost to get rid of them.
You will find lots of help here on the forums.