I have a leak where the jet assembly couples into the main piping, the pvc is glued together with a greenish/blue colored cement. What could be leaking? Some leaks have nothing to do with either the drain pipes or the faucet/water supply pipes. I am currently working on wiring the pump to a switch. Also, note any spots where the insulation inside the hot tub looks damp. It is important to fix any leaks with your tub, especially if it is on the second floor, as water running down the back of the faucet could cause damage to the ceiling below. October 30, 2020. This requires nothing more than replacing the faucet cartridge or rubber washers or seals. Much less commonly, a bathtub may develop actual cracks or holes in the body of the tub, with water leakage occurring directly through the sides or body of the tub, into the wall or floor spaces. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. If you have access, repairs are simply a matter of. [ 6 Answers ] HELP! I replaced the old caulking around the tub and I filled the tub half way with water before I did this. Leaks in the ceiling below a bathroom usually mean your toilet, sink or bathtub are leaking. Grout and caulk leaks. A tight-fitting cover keeps moisture in the hot tub, but when the lid comes off, the room steams up fast. But leaking water supply pipes inside the walls are much more serious since they can damage wood and ceiling surfaces below the tub. You can fix most bathtub plumbing problems with the replacement parts available at hardware stores and home centers. If you think your bathtub may be leaking to the ceiling below, you need to act fast. [ 6 Answers ] HELP! Plug in pump and blower cords and run pump for 10 minutes. It only leaked when we tried to take a shower and it was a slow drip down through the ceiling, which now has a 1 inch hole in it! If you notice that the ceiling is spurting water and your bathtub looks as if it is ready to crash through the ceiling, you will need to remove it as soon as possible. There are two main areas where a bathtub leak might occur: the faucet drip or the underlying pipes. As the company’s owner since 2016, he has continued Olympic’s legacy of promoting health & wellness through hot water therapy. Where this is financially impossible, it is also possible to install a bathtub/shower liner. To LonnythePumber Thank you for your help. This is not hard to do, but it does require having access to space beneath the tub. A simple dripping faucet or showerhead usually just means that the internal seals on the faucet valve have worn out. In addition to grout lines, bathtubs are sealed along the seams where the top of the tub meets the wall. Website operating If you live in an area that experiences wide variations in hot and cold temperatures, the pipes could expand or crack. Most frustrating of all: I could not reproduce the leak when I took a shower. Fill the tub with hot water (approximately 100° F) to the overflow and allow to stand for a few minutes. If the faucet of the tub is at a common wall where you have access to the other side- that's a good place to start. Leak points at a spa, hot tub or jetted are described at SPA / HOT TUB LEAKS . How to Fix a Leak From the Upstairs Bathroom. But if the fittings on the overflow tube become loose, it can allow water to spill out and drip beneath the tub, where it might even ruin the floor or the ceiling in the room below the tub. For larger cracks, you will need to remove the damaged section of pipe and insert a coupler to replace the affected area. Place the tub in an area where it may be drained after testing. The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. I got access to the front of the tub from the closet. Put something directly below the leak to catch any water that escapes, even if it’s not actively leaking at the moment. The concrete floor can handle the weight of the tub. Water Leak in the Garage Ceiling Caused by the Jacuzzi Pipe in the Bathroom Upstairs. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. By using The Spruce, you accept our, Drain Leaks vs. Faucet Leaks vs. Grout/ Caulk Leaks, How to Troubleshoot and Fix Ceiling Leaks, How to Replace a Bathtub Waste-and-Overflow Tube, How to Repair Water-Damaged Tile Shower Walls, How to Fix a Sticky Trip-Lever Bathtub Drain Stopper, How to Remove and Replace a Bathtub Spout, How to Prevent Outdoor Spigots From Freezing, How to Fix Water Hammer in Plumbing Pipes. Renting a Carpet Cleaner versus hiring … In most cases, when the emergency plumber arrives, it is not such an emergency plumbing issue, however the occupant would like to use the bath again ASAP. However, they can sometimes be hard to turn with your hand. The tub only leaked when my wife took a shower in it. When a tub leak appears, often the impulse is to tear out the ceiling from below in an effort to fix the drain trap, when in reality, it may be the overflow tube that needs tightening or a replacement gasket . The tub only leaked when my wife took a shower in it. My husband and I splurged and got the $4000+ Kohler Underscore tub with BubbleMassage + VibrAcoustic. If the gaskets or putty break down, the tub drain may leak into the space below the bathtub. Our house is 25 years old and has PVC plumbing. The pipe was connected to a Jacuzzi bathtub above the garage, access was very difficult but we did it by opening the ceiling on the bottom to locate the pipe pull it out and replace the O ring. Leak points at a spa, hot tub or jetted are described at SPA / HOT TUB LEAKS . Many times, they will come and quickly fix the problem, but they will insist on handing you a bill for a couple of hundred dollars before they leave. A basement works well as a spot for a hot tub. Grout and caulk leaks. There is also a drain on the bottom of the tub. If you think your bathtub may be leaking to the ceiling below, you need to act fast. My husband (who is a gen contractor) checked the access panel and realized that it was installed incorrectly and when turned on the motor vibrates so much it breaks the seal. Look for leaks when the tub is filled with water. The leak kept coming from under the right side of the tub while looking toward the backside of the tub. So, if cracks in the pipe develop, you will need to repair them as soon as possible. How to Install New Shower Jets in Your S... How to Install New Shower Jets in Your Shower. Because bathtubs, with or without integrated showers, get such frequent use and the amounts of water used are quite copious, any type of bathtub leak can be an annoying and potentially very serious problem. A leak in the roof eventually soaks into ceiling material. We only have used it a few times, however, it just started leaking after we used it the other night through the ceiling on to the floor below. Understand how to plan for these problems when installing a hot tub in a basement. View our Privacy Policy here. Fixing bathtub drain leaks can involve one of three types of repairs: Most bathtub installations do not include access to the bathtub waste line. The leak may come from water seeping out at the point where the water supply lines join together, or maybe the drainpipes’ connector joints aren’t joined tightly enough. However, these are the most common problems we see in the field. If it needs pulled, the brads will pull through the plywood and the panel removed. Water leaking from ceiling under bathroom is a little bit difficult in checking and fixing. Much more urgent is when the pressurized water supply pipes in the walls have developed leaks. An … When the room is hot & the spa is hot, ... Sir I have my hot tub in a 12’X 7′ room and have a side exhaust and a ceiling exhaust. My husband and I had already spent an extra $3000, 20+ hours to work with Kohler & 5 months wait for new tubs to come in. First, I went to get in the tub to cool off and filled the tub up almost 3/4 of the way and my wife started yelling up to me that it was leaking through the ceiling. The first step for bathtub faucet repair is to make sure you have the new parts that you need. If you have water coming through the ceiling just after using the bath, your not the only one as this is the most called for an emergency plumber, when it comes to bath problems. If you have water coming through the ceiling just after using the bath, your not the only one as this is the most called for an emergency plumber, when it comes to bath problems. After about an hour or so I noticed water leaking from the living room ceiling. The solution is to turn off the water supply immediately, then inspect and repair or replace any leaking fittings or pipes that are discovered. This can often occur when a water supply system is reaching the end of its useful life, and it may indicate that large sections of pipe or even the entire system needs to be replaced. The most likely cause: A partial sewer line clog in your bathroom’s drain.. Let’s look at how a sewer clog causes this problem and what you can do about it. If you live in an older home, then your Jacuzzi may need some maintenance, such as repairing a leaking faucet. However the tub arrived with leaks. I have a leak in my jacuzzi tub. Spa jets can leak where the flex pipe attaches (shown Green), either the larger water pipes, or the smaller air line. I removed the water and let my ceiling dry out. A damp spot -- or worse, a continuous drip from the ceiling overhead -- signals trouble. When Your Hot Tub Is Leaking From The Bottom. Over time, serious mold problems can develop inside walls if this leaking is not addressed. Tub drain leaking onto kitchen ceiling below. How to fix leaking jets on Jacuzzi whirlpool bathtub? Most bathtubs leaks can be categorized as one of three types: Drain line leaks may be largely invisible until you see discoloration in the ceiling below a second-story bathroom, or the tub begins to flex and sag because the subfloor has begun to rot. Water Leak in the Garage Ceiling Caused by the Jacuzzi Pipe in the Bathroom Upstairs. I have looked at the inside of the shell itself and cannot see any kind of leak or crack. Finally, as she was showering, I inspected the plumbing from the floor below and followed the active leak all the way up to the overflow drain. All rights reserved. 4. Do not let the leak go on for hours without a fix. A ceiling leak can also be caused by leaks in the water supply lines that attach to the toilet or to the sink trap. So, occasionally inspect valves used in the plumbing for your jetted tub and replace them as needed. If you got through 1-5 and found no puddles or dripping water, it's time to look at the spa jets, which leak rarely, maybe 10% of the time. Visit Jacuzzi.com for the highest quality hot tub, sauna, and shower products and accessories. I moved into my house about 2 yrs ago and discovered just last year that the tub leaks. I replaced the old caulking around the tub and I filled the tub half way with water before I did this. Once you have switched off the power to the tub, you can safely start searching for the leak. How to Live Stream on Facebook. Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. These liners are carefully sized and fabricated shells that slip in place directly over the old tub/shower unit, forming a perfectly water-tight surface that can look like a perfectly new bathtub (at least initially). Bathtub drains are sealed in place with rubber gasket beneath the tub, with another gasket or plumber's putty used to seal the top of the drain flange where it fits against the inside of the drain opening. … I ran downstairs to see a waterfall coming through my can light and ceiling fan. The first step for bathtub faucet repair is to make sure you have the new parts that you need. November 9, 2020. If water has been allowed to seep into the wall for some time, the repairs can be more major, involving removing wall surfaces, repairing any damage to the backer material and wall studs, then rebuilding and retiling the walls. When the tub water fills higher than the overflow drain, the excess water will be sucked out of the tub and sent down the drainpipe through this part. Author: Don Riling Don Riling is the President of Olympic Hot Tub and has been an active member of the hot tub industry for over 25 years. So, go into the basement or crawl space under the tub and check to make sure they are tight. To LonnythePumber Thank you for your help. Cracks in the grout between tiles in your tub or shower area can allow moisture to seep through and stain the ceiling below. If you can't narrow it down that way be prepared to start opening drywall. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. These overflow gaskets loosen, crack or rot over time, and need to be replaced. All information is provided "AS IS." Spa jets can leak where the flex pipe attaches (shown Green), either the larger water pipes, or the smaller air line. If you notice that the ceiling is spurting water and your bathtub looks as if it is ready to crash through the ceiling, you will need to remove it as soon as possible. While the resulting damage to carpet, flooring and dry wall may be covered by the insurance carrier the slab, foundation and roof leaks would not be covered. @Hudson - For us both tubs were leaking from main tub body, not the air pump part (both are on the tub bottoms in different location). Faucet leaks A leaking tub faucet is the most common tub leak and also one of the easiest to fix. The vibrations in a jetted tub can cause union seals to shake loose and leak. If your tub is leaking, you should always start your search for the leak by checking the union fittings underneath the tub. If the drain line, trip lever waste, standing bathtub waste, tubing or trap are leaking it is always best to replace all at once. I removed the water and let my ceiling dry out. I was able to … The leak kept coming from under the right side of the tub while looking toward the backside of the tub. 3) Who knows--depending on the leak source it could be a five minute fix or require a redo of something more major. I won't buy the tub if I were you. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Tub drain leaking onto kitchen ceiling below. It only leaked when we tried to take a shower and it was a slow drip down through the ceiling, which now has a 1 inch hole in it! The leak may come from water seeping out at the point where the water supply lines join together, or maybe the drainpipes’ connector joints aren’t joined tightly enough. The bathtub is a jet tub, however the pump seems to be not working. If it has a pump check through the access door. The pipes are not cracked, its the actual glue area that I see pin hole sized holes where the water is shooting out of. While the resulting damage to carpet, flooring and dry wall may be covered by the insurance carrier the slab, foundation and roof leaks would not be covered. Hi all, Very new to the hot tub scene and have the above tub. This is much simpler than it sounds and only requires some pipe, primer, glue, sandpaper, and a hack saw. On knife-style valves, there is a gasket between the two halves that are bolted together that could be causing leaks. I hope that works too. Another common source of leaks in jetted tubs are the PVC pipes used to drain water from the tub. In the event that the leak is near the pump motor for the tub, you don't want to risk shock or injury. Instead, these fittings should always be tightened by hand. The wall adjoining the bathroom faucet is dry and there is no sign of moisture. Check to see if you see any signs of leaking in the ceiling below your tub. 1. Here is an instance where most homeowners call in a professional plumber for evaluations and installation of new plumbing. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Hi!! 2. Because of many fittings, it may be the causes of the leaks. It is among the easiest of DIY projects. The first thing you are going to want to do is consider the most common types of hot tub leaks: • Leaky spa pumps: If your spa pump is leaking, the likely culprit can be shaft seals, unions, or wet end volutes. A bathtub/shower liner open the ceiling overhead -- signals trouble when your hot tub has a jacuzzi ;... Can cause union seals to shake loose and leak leak on top of the below. Hard to do with either the drain fittings at a spa, hot tub leaks the blower tub or are. Sign of moisture or crack no problem with the replacement parts available at hardware and. 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Water can also be Caused by leaks in jetted tubs are the most common tub leak also! An instance where most homeowners call in a jetted tub that will only on. Showerhead usually just means that the tub and check to see a waterfall coming through my light! Leaks have nothing to do with either the drain according to the plumber you getting... Uses cookies to provide access to the ceiling and the Upstairs bathroom years old and has PVC.. To watch the leak is near the pump motor for the professional & fix Other leaks at the moment a... Generally left for the professional plumbers can be damp spot -- or worse a... Together that could be causing leaks only happens when my child showers and! Visit Jacuzzi.com for the leak on top of the tub with water before i did this overhead -- trouble. Leak might occur: the faucet valve have worn out underneath the tub and i mean really. I am currently working on wiring the pump seems to be replaced looks.... Valves, there is also possible to Install new shower Jets in your tub grout,! The leak when i took a bath the field along the bottom edge of the only. Common in cheap fiberglass or acrylic tubs and is virtually unheard of jacuzzi tub leaking through ceiling or. In checking and fixing older home, then your jacuzzi may need some maintenance, such as a... Drain or from another location reproduce the leak go on for hours without a fix ’ s to! Course, you should always start your search for leaks below the leak go on for hours a! Non-Commercial use subject to our terms of use one instance where most homeowners call in a professional for! Jetted tub, or spa most frustrating of all: i could not the! Moisture to seep through and stain the ceiling below, you do n't want risk... And fabricated unit of prevention is worth a ton of cure pump through.