Licensed plumber to find and fix a leak

[asmo]

Found a wet spot on my basent ceiling. Pressed on it and my finger went through no problem. Got the drywall knife out and cut a smallish hole to see what was up. Lots of black mold and standing water.

Fast forward to last night, started flushing toilets and running showers to see if I could find a source. Looks like when someone runs the 2nd floor shower I get a pretty good flow of water on the outside of the drain pipe (which I can see through the hole I cut). When a toilet in that same bathroom is flushed I get a smaller amount of water.

So there is something wrong with the drain on the 2nd floor bathroom. Where!

So anyone want to recommend a plumber to fix the issue? If we have to rip up a floor of the 2nd floor I am thinking of possibly turning it into insurance so may need someone licensed.

Thoughts and ideas??

[Irving]

This doesn't necessarily sound like it requires a specialist or anything. Probably pretty standard fare for most plumbers.

American Leak Detection http://www.americanleakdetection.com...esidential.php can find the leak, but it sounds to me like you're pretty close already.

Also, and most importantly, presence of mold is an indication that this has been happening over a sustained period of time (as is usually the case with drain line issues) and may be specifically excluded by your policy. The only way to find out is to turn in a claim.

So when you say the 2nd floor bathroom, are you talking about the main level of the home (immediately above basement) or the level above that? Also, sounds like a lot of water from shower, lesser amount from toilet, what about the sink? What year was the house built? What type of pipe are the drain lines, cast iron, pvc? Does the water start leaking almost immediately, or after the shower has been run for a while or the toilet has been flushed a few times?

[asmo]

So when you say the 2nd floor bathroom, are you talking about the main level of the home (immediately above basement) or the level above that? Also, sounds like a lot of water from shower, lesser amount from toilet, what about the sink? What year was the house built? What type of pipe are the drain lines, cast iron, pvc? Does the water start leaking almost immediately, or after the shower has been run for a while or the toilet has been flushed a few times?

2nd floor as in two floors above the basement (e.g. the floor above the main floor). Didn't try the sink - thats a great idea I will take a look there. House built in 1998. Normal PVC drain lines (see pict). The water starts leaking pretty much as soon as things hit the drain in the shower and as soon as you flush the toilet once.

My grandmother started living with us a month or so ago, but for the last 15 years that bathroom has seldom been used. With her using it daily now I think we found it just in time.

Thank you all for the info! I'll call Bell out on Monday (they are who I normally use). Was hoping to give the business to someone on the list.

[MarkCO]

Even if the leak itself is not covered, most policies have tear out coverage. Easiest way to find that kind of leak is a camera in the drain line. Hydrophysics is who I use professionally is I can not find it quickly. But places like Gavin's and RotoRooter have sewer line cameras as well.

[Irving]

That's rough having an entire floor between where the water starts and where you are finding it outside the pipe. I'd suspect that some fitting pulled apart in the drain line after the toilet and shower lines meet (probably after the sink as well), and likely before the line goes vertical (unless there is a significant gap between the two pieces). Construction materials like drywall and OSB can get wet to a point, and as long as the water keeps moving and they have time to dry, they'll maintain structural integrity.

I don't see any mold or significant wet rot in your photos, which is good. Trying the sink is just to try and pin point where this issue starts. What room is immediately below the upstairs bathroom? It is usually easier/cheaper to cut out ceiling drywall in the room below to try and find the problem, than trying to go through the floor of the bathroom where the problem starts. Not to mention that with it being a drain line, the flooring in that bathroom is likely undamaged.

[sampson]

Hire these guys.

https://youtu.be/08sCJVa32ik

[CO Hugh]

While you say its the toliet, in a bathroom that was infrequently used, the plumbers putty around the drains or fixtures can dry out and leak when used. If so that is easy to fix.

[Bmac]

While you say its the toliet, in a bathroom that was infrequently used, the plumbers putty around the drains or fixtures can dry out and leak when used. If so that is easy to fix.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is most likely the problem. Check the tub drain for dried putty and pull the toilet to check the wax ring. While it's up put in an extra thick wax ring.

[asmo]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is most likely the problem. Check the tub drain for dried putty and pull the toilet to check the wax ring. While it's up put in an extra thick wax ring.

Nope. Someone put a screw into the 3" drain pipe. All fixed and better now.

[EvilRhino]

Nope. Someone put a screw into the 3" drain pipe. All fixed and better now.

Someone used a speed bit, about 1", to drill the wall for a toggle. While most times that a pipe passes through a stud, it gets a nail plate, when they are running vertically, they are unprotected. I've seen it a handful of times, usually with cabinet installs, etc. It took a bit of effort to drill all the way into the pipe vs knowing you made a hole in drywall.