Need Recommendation for Getting Leaking 2nd Floor Tub Fixed (Raleigh: homes, neighborhood)

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

So the our tub on the 2nd floor has a slow leak. I can hear it dripping on the 1st floor ceiling when the tub is full. Can't locate any cracks in the tub so I am assuming the leak is coming from the drain pipe or the overflow drain. I imagine a portion of the 1st floor ceiling will need to be removed to access/fix the problem.

My questions is:

1. I'm assuming I need a plumber to fix the issue. Any recommendations (I am in North Raleigh)

2. Since this work likely involves removing a portion of drywall ceiling (popcorn ceiling) should I also be looking into getting somebody else besides a plumber to repair the ceiling - since I don't expect a plumber to be an expert at that repair? I think I can do it myself, but not sure how to fix the popcorn texture so it blends in well. Hopefully it isn't a big job.

I welcome your thoughts or experiences dealing with an issue like this. Thanks!

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

So the our tub on the 2nd floor has a slow leak. I can hear it dripping on the 1st floor ceiling when the tub is full. Can't locate any cracks in the tub so I am assuming the leak is coming from the drain pipe or the overflow drain. I imagine a portion of the 1st floor ceiling will need to be removed to access/fix the problem.

My questions is:

1. I'm assuming I need a plumber to fix the issue. Any recommendations (I am in North Raleigh)

2. Since this work likely involves removing a portion of drywall ceiling (popcorn ceiling) should I also be looking into getting somebody else besides a plumber to repair the ceiling - since I don't expect a plumber to be an expert at that repair? I think I can do it myself, but not sure how to fix the popcorn texture so it blends in well. Hopefully it isn't a big job.

I welcome your thoughts or experiences dealing with an issue like this. Thanks!

If it is in the drain, trap, or overflow, it should be able to be accessed through the wall at the end of the tub.
Any plumber should be able to do that.

If your popcorn ceiling isn't stained or popcorn is not coming loose, I would avoid tearing into the ceiling before going through the wall.
It is nearly impossible to get a good looking repair on popcorn.

[Poggly Woggly]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

If it is in the drain, trap, or overflow, it should be able to be accessed through the wall at the end of the tub.
Any plumber should be able to do that.

If your popcorn ceiling isn't stained or popcorn is not coming loose, I would avoid tearing into the ceiling before going through the wall.
It is nearly impossible to get a good looking repair on popcorn.

Great advice. Don't go into the popcorn ceiling unless absolutely necessary. I had a friend with a similar situation open up a popcorn ceiling in the kitchen to gain access. He never could get the patch right himself and hired a pro to redo the entire kitchen plus more. The repair could have been made through an upstairs closet Let a plumber make the call.

I had to go into a closet wall before to make a tub repair. After the plumber finished I made an access door in the wall for next time.

[Jkgourmet]

If you end up having to go through the popcorn ceiling, why not take this opportunity to get rid of the outdated, PITA popcorn?

[luckeeesmom]

I had same issue and it was the overflow. You can easily replace the gasket yourself and see if that fixes the leak. You don't need to get behind the tub, you can do it from inside the tub.

As for the ceiling, ours is discolored in a spot where the leak occurred but we are on hold with that because we want to scrape and smooth popcorn ceilings at some point.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I will check the overflow tonight. I'm hopeful it is something I can fix. This is one of those shower stall units that is one big piece of continuous plastic, so no tiles or wall to go through. The ceiling on the first floor has a tiny spot of discoloration (about the size of a quarter) so I'd rather not open up the ceiling unless absolutely necessary. I guess there could be concern about mold, but not sure how serious that would be given the small leak.

FWIW, I am one of those people who could care less whether my ceiling is smooth or has popcorn ceiling. And in my neighborhood ALL of the homes have popcorn ceilings and putting in the time/money to remove it all would not be worth it to me and at the price point I am in would likely not pay off at resale time. But thanks for the input!

[Poggly Woggly]

Originally Posted by North_Raleigh_Guy

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I will check the overflow tonight. I'm hopeful it is something I can fix.

You Tube is my new best friendHope you can solve it yourself.