Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register
Welcome To Ask The Trades!
Oct 9th, 2024, 11:10pm
Quote: If you can think of a random quote - Let us know!!


Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Water leaking through bath sealant causing damp (Read 5608 times)
Thomas
GDPR opt-out









Water leaking through bath sealant causing damp
Nov 13th, 2013, 8:38pm
 
Every time we have a shower (which is in the bath) the water leaks through the sealant around rim of bath and runs down the wall of the cloakroom downstairs. It is not a big leak but a trickle of water. Over time it has built up and caused damp on the floor in the downstairs toilet. It has now ruined 2 carpets. We have tried resealing the bath and even paid someone to do it but it still leaks.
We urgently need to replace the ruined rotten carpet but I want the problem fixed before we put down yet another floor, this time vinyl.

What can we do to fix this problem?
Back to top
 
 
IP Logged
 
thescruff
Global Moderator
Trade Member
Author
*****
Offline

Who said plumbing was
easy.
Posts: 6037


Total Thanks: 147
For This Post: 1


Gender: male

Trade: Plumber



Re: Water leaking through bath sealant causing damp
Reply #1 - Nov 13th, 2013, 9:51pm
 
The tiles needs to be clean (degreased) and dry.

The bath needs to be well fixed and supported, then filled with water when you apply the silicon.

Should be left for 24 hrs to cure.

I would also remove the bath panel and check for alternative leaks.
Back to top
 
Thank User For This Post View members image gallery  
IP Logged
 
Thomas
Re: Water leaking through bath sealant causing damp
Reply #2 - Nov 13th, 2013, 9:57pm
 
Thank you. Do you think we need to replace the bath with a steel one as I've read that the acrylic baths will move too much when we are standing in shower and so making leaks more likely?
Back to top
 
Thank User For This Post  
IP Logged
 
Headrush
Trade Member
*****
Offline

Ask The Trades
Posts: 147


Total Thanks: 10
For This Post: 0


Nottingham, United Kingdom
Nottingham
United Kingdom

Gender: male

Trade: Plumber

Re: Water leaking through bath sealant causing damp
Reply #3 - Nov 14th, 2013, 11:28am
 
Another trick is to fix a batten below the back edge of the bath. A bit tricky with the bath already in place but can be done using silicon to stick the batten to the wall and wedge it in place with peices of wood for 24 hours, wedge in 2 or 3 permanant vertical battens for added stability. That should stop the back edge twisting and sagging.
Back to top
 
Thank User For This Post  
IP Logged
 
woodsmith
Global Moderator
Trade Member
Author
*****
Offline


Posts: 4400


Total Thanks: 135
For This Post: 0


Gender: male

Trade: Joiner

Re: Water leaking through bath sealant causing damp
Reply #4 - Nov 14th, 2013, 1:37pm
 
I would do as Scruff suggests and look for an alternative source of water leak. I doubt you would get anything like enough water to seep through the seal around the bath to flow down the wall and soak the carpet.

I have just seen exactly the same problem at a house I've been working at. They replaced the silicon round the bath with no improvement and so I offered to have a look. I found that the bath waste had been sealed with Plumbers Mate, a type of putty, which had compressed and allowed water to run out in quantity. I would look there first.
Back to top
 
Thank User For This Post View members image gallery  
IP Logged
 
Lectrician
Administrator
Trade Member
Author
*****
Offline

Ask The Trades
Posts: 8815


Total Thanks: 109
For This Post: 0


Braunton, North Devon, United Kingdom
Braunton, North Devon
United Kingdom

Gender: male

Trade: Electrician



Re: Water leaking through bath sealant causing damp
Reply #5 - Nov 14th, 2013, 5:14pm
 
Once the bath panel is off, you can likely see the source by damp or black marks.
Back to top
 

Need to post a picture? Click HERE for info!
Thank User For This Post WWW View members image gallery  
IP Logged
 
CWatters
Super Member
*****
Offline

"Daddy fick it" says James

Posts: 5150


Total Thanks: 58
For This Post: 0


Gender: male

Re: Water leaking through bath sealant causing damp
Reply #6 - Nov 14th, 2013, 8:34pm
 
What others have said. Essential the bath is mounted so that the gap being sealed doesn't move when you get in and out or the sealer doesn't last. Many places recommend filling the bath with water before doing the seal but it's better to ensure it doesn't move using a frame or batten as above. Perhaps use a "low modulus sealer" which has more stretch in it although I found they tend to grow mould sooner that standard products. Perhaps a small bead of low modulus injected into the gap and a standard over the top?

Instead of something like Dettol Mould & Mildew Remover which costs  costs £3.00 for 0.75L we use Tesco Everyday Value Thin Bleach which costs just 0.29p for 2L and dilute it with water. Seems to work just as well.
Back to top
 
Thank User For This Post View members image gallery  
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Send Topic Print