Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - leaking tub
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Da_Pearces
04-30-05, 03:08 PM
I replaced my old bathrub with a new soaker tub. Pretty simple plumbing (so I thought). I replaced the copper piping and the PVC drain piping, put the tub in and installed the new faucet. I drew a bath in my new tub the other week and when I turn off the water, I hear a slight trickle. To my horror, I peek over the tub and see a slow but steady pool of water making it's way from the bottom onf the tub to the door :eek:
I thought I figured out the problem. I had screwed in the bottom drain fixture only hand-tight just to see if it fit and forgot to go back and tighten it completely. :o
I draw a bath again tonight with the newly tightened drain and the same thing happens. Help! I don't know what it causing it! I am almost 100% sure it is not the copper piping going to the bathtub. I still don't have the tiling around the tub (yes, I was that impatient to get to use my new tub..lol), so I was able to take the tar paper off (no cement board yet, thank goodness) not only to allow the floor to properly dry, but also to see the pipes. There is only enough water on the other side of the studs where the copper piping is to make me thing it just seeped over there. I am thinking it is coming somewhere from the drain maybe? Is there putty or something you have to use with the drain to make it water proof? The amount of water that was coming out from under the tub would certainly be more than what could seep out from between the drain and pipe.
Any suggestions at all as to where I might begin to troubleshoot this would be greatly appreciated. Obviously I can't begin the tiling process until I have this figured out. Thanks for your time.
I thought I figured out the problem. I had screwed in the bottom drain fixture only hand-tight just to see if it fit and forgot to go back and tighten it completely. :o
I draw a bath again tonight with the newly tightened drain and the same thing happens. Help! I don't know what it causing it! I am almost 100% sure it is not the copper piping going to the bathtub. I still don't have the tiling around the tub (yes, I was that impatient to get to use my new tub..lol), so I was able to take the tar paper off (no cement board yet, thank goodness) not only to allow the floor to properly dry, but also to see the pipes. There is only enough water on the other side of the studs where the copper piping is to make me thing it just seeped over there. I am thinking it is coming somewhere from the drain maybe? Is there putty or something you have to use with the drain to make it water proof? The amount of water that was coming out from under the tub would certainly be more than what could seep out from between the drain and pipe.
Any suggestions at all as to where I might begin to troubleshoot this would be greatly appreciated. Obviously I can't begin the tiling process until I have this figured out. Thanks for your time.
Johnboy555
05-01-05, 07:59 PM
Since you still have access to the drain pipes it's an easy fix. Yes...there should be a sealant under the flange, either plumbers putty or silicone. unscrew the flange, make sure everything there is dry and install the sealant and then screw it back down. with plumber's putty you can use it right away, with silicone you must wait a day for it to set. If you decide to use silicone use some masking tape around the outside of the flange. It makes cleaning up a lot easier.