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Posted by Speedy Jim on March 5, 2007, 2:08 pm
keelie@gmail.com wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I bought a condo in a building that was built in the 1920s within the
> past year and the head of the condo association brought a leak in the
> basement to our attention a few months ago. Considering the extent of
> the damage that was already there (the whole basement ceiling is
> plastered over EXCEPT where this spot is--it's got moldy boards
> hammered up over it and all the beams are splashed with rust), I
> figured it couldn't actually be from my apartment since certainly the
> previous home owner or someone on the association would've said
> something!
>
> Lo and behold, of course, it IS from my apartment. Every time I take
> a shower, it leaks down into the basement. The head of the
> association keeps insisting it's the caulking on the tub, but it looks
> absolutely fine to me. I can't find any cracks or holes in anything
> that would allow that amount of water to escape. And it only ever
> happens when someone is IN the shower. if you leave the shower
> running, no water leaks downstairs.
>
> Could it possibly be the overflow on the tub? I need to call a
> plumber but I'd like some idea of what it could be before I'm charged
> an arm and a leg to replace a bunch of stuff because I'm a new,
> clueless homeowner.
>
> Thanks for any help anyone can provide!
>
Yes, it *can* be from the overflow. This is a fairly common
problem. Showering produces a heavy flow of water right over
the plate.
There is a rubber gasket behind the tub which is supposed
to seal everything, but they often are out of place or
deteriorated.
You can replace the gasket from inside the tub by snaking
it thru the opening. Some sealant on the new gasket won't hurt either.
The assembly looks something like:
http://www.plumbingproducts.com/wasteoverflowparts.html
As suggested, don't overlook the penetration for the tub spout either.
Jim
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