Pihkal1987 t1_iu5bew3 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 5:36 PM

Reply to comment by andrewbadera in Plumbing issue - tub drain piping leaking by andrewbadera

A backup can definitely force something to leak when it normally wouldn’t. But that would probably show itself in the tub with a slow drain. Do you have access from below?

andrewbadera OP t1_iu5ct00 wrote on October 28, 2022 at 5:45 PM

Well shit. I ran some water. Looks like the leak is the cast iron supply line in the wall, not the plastic. FML.

Pihkal1987 t1_iu5wxui wrote on October 28, 2022 at 8:02 PM

How do you mean supply line? Do you mean the cast iron drainage?

andrewbadera OP t1_iu63btp wrote on October 28, 2022 at 8:46 PM

No I mean the line running from source to the faucet or shower head. The leak is actually above and behind where I thought originally.

Pihkal1987 t1_iu69fym wrote on October 28, 2022 at 9:31 PM

Ah I see! If you have any issues with that and some pics I can try to help. Sounds like they are galvanized metal water lines? Could be a much more difficult issue I’m afraid to say! Unless it is the line running to the shower head, it’s probably pex. But you’ll need access to get at it. Check the shower head arm that comes out of the tub at the top, I’ve seen those loose and leaking, or no Teflon tape lol. You’ll need to possibly unthread it from where it goes into the wall. Just thinking of things I normally check, starting small and working your way up.

andrewbadera OP t1_iu6drge wrote on October 28, 2022 at 10:03 PM

The line does run to both the tub faucet and the shower head. When I bought the place flow was constricted, had to use a low flow head. I'm figuring at this point this means having someone rip out the wall, and I probably might as well redo the entire (small but only full) bathroom the way it should have been done in the first place to address various other concerns. I had hoped to avoid this until I could buy a second house and move first, but then rates jumped.

Thanks for all your input!

Pihkal1987 t1_iu6ni3g wrote on October 28, 2022 at 11:19 PM

No worries! I’m more than happy to help folks who have questions with plumbing stuff! Plumbers are expensive lol

andrewbadera OP t1_iu5cczw wrote on October 28, 2022 at 5:42 PM

The drain doesn't appear completely drained at this time. Not sure if it was draining slowly when this issue made itself obvious. I suppose it doesn't hurt to check at this point.

I don't have access from below. There's a drywall ceiling in the downstairs bathroom, then the subfloor. One of the cast iron pipes nearby has a point that is terminated with a cap that can be unscrewed, but I'm doubtful I could apply enough leverage in the limited space to open it.