How to fix a second story bathtub leak?
by
Joan
The upstairs bathtub is leaking in my downstairs closet and thru to the basement. The house is almost 100 yrs old and it is a old fashion claw tub that is leaking. I think it is the drain and pipe but cannot afford a plumber and it is close quarters to fix it. Any advice?
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
I'm sure its what you think. Turn off the water to tub. You should a look in the ceiling of the closet to see underneath the floor. You'll have to tear it out any way if you have a leak. If not there, you'll have to open walls where the pipes run to basement until you find the leak. Once you find it you can resesrch how to fix it.
So sorry to hear this. I love old houses, but they do take more care. You will have to open the wall/ceiling where the pipes are and trace them back to the leak. There are most likely old cast iron pipes so a leak will be easily noticeable. I had hole in my cast iron main drain and the whole pipe had to be cut out and a new PVC (?) pipe installed.
Joan,. This is a multiple job with many problems. You have to fix the leak to avoid mold and mildew. Hire a plumber, he can fix the problem, and find the route the water is going leaking into the downstairs closet. Aloha!