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Looked at an upstairs shower today that was leaking through the pan and dripping through the subfloor to the unfinished ceiling below. It is a tile floor and when I plugged up the drain and filled the shower it leaked everywhere. I dont even think there is a pan under the tile, just tile over plywood. Will have a tile man look at it later in the week but was wondering if any of you have used or know of a product to seal the tile from above to stop the leaking. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Ran into a customer years ago face with the same situation. He refused to submit to the cost of the standard fix, so I came up with several options, all priced less than the former fix.
One was to paint an epoxy coating on the tile. This would be a clear coat to allow the existing tile to show. The problem here is to insure an adequate bond to the tile, without scarifying the tile face. An acid wash may help, but probably not satisfactorly. I suggest you talk to a paint store to get the low down on the products that supply strong adherence to a glossy ceramic. I'm thinking a store that deals with the marine industry. Additionally, you'd have to lightly scuff--100-200 grit wet& dry?--the floor for slip resistance. Also, since you are unsure where the leak(s) are, you should consider extending this treatment to the entire tiled surface. Don't be to sure that the leak isn't high on the wall.
Two, use Hydroment brand, Ultra-Set as a trowel applied liquid membrane and set new tile over this. Be sure to scarify the existing tile face for bond. You may want a drain extension ring.
I'd go with option two since I don't know of any material out there that would provide a good bond for option 1.
*Charles, my inclination would be to replace the entire shower base and a row or two of tile up the wall. This will give you an opportunity to install a new pan and replace the drain, where a leak may be occuring.If you try a patchwork approach and the the leak is not 100% sealed, some minor amounts of leakage may occur (which might not appear on the ceiling below) and slowly rot out the subfloor and do damage to the joists below.You're letting yourself in for call-backs and potential complaints if you don't do the whole thing over. If the client doesn't want to spend the money to make proper repairs, then walk away.Good luck, Steve
*Charles, I pretty much agree with both Rich and Steve. You need a proper repair. Any attempts at a makeshift "patch" will only bring liability to rest upon your shoulders, since the next failure that occurs will be on work you performed.
*Charles:Bathe at the YMCA for a week until the tile man comes over. Make him demo the whole mess, and check the pan and the two part drain.You would be crazy to anything else but that.
*Tile man said to tear it out too, so will try to convince the customer to do that. Richs ideas sound good as a last resort. Thanks for the advice.