Lacey, WA

Bathroom and Shower Leak Detection in Lacey, WA

Bathrooms have more water connections than any other room in the house, and most of them are hidden behind tile. We test each one and tell you exactly which part is leaking.

Call (360) 000-0000

Is the Leak in Your Bathroom?

Bathroom leaks rarely show up in the bathroom itself. More often you see them:

On the ceiling below an upstairs bathroom
In the crawl space under a ground floor bathroom
On the other side of the wall in a closet or hallway
In the flooring just outside the bathroom door

Inside the bathroom, watch for:

Grout that keeps cracking or turning dark
Loose or hollow sounding tiles
Caulk that peels away again and again
A toilet that rocks or has a stain around the base
A musty smell after showering
Peeling paint on the wall next to the shower
A soft spot in the floor near the tub or toilet

The Usual Suspects

We test each of these separately.

Shower valve and pipes
The valve behind the handle is pressurized all the time. A leak here runs whether or not the shower is on.
Shower pan or liner
The waterproof layer under a tile shower floor can crack or fail at the drain. Water leaks only when the shower is used.
Shower drain
A loose drain connection leaks every time water goes down.
Grout and tile
Cracked grout lets water soak behind tile. Over time it reaches the wall framing.
Tub overflow and drain
The overflow gasket and drain seals wear out, leaking only when the tub is full or draining.
Toilet
A failed wax ring leaks at the floor with every flush. A bad flapper wastes water into the bowl constantly and runs up your bill.
Vanity plumbing
Supply lines, shutoff valves and drain traps under the sink.

How We Test a Bathroom

Check the supply side.
A pressure test with fixtures off tells us if the valve or supply pipes are leaking.
Test the drain side.
We run water into the shower, tub and sink one at a time while watching the ceiling, crawl space or wall below with moisture meters and a thermal camera.
Flood test the shower pan
when needed, by plugging the drain and filling the pan to see if water escapes.
Dye test the toilet
to catch a leaking flapper.
Scan the walls
around the shower for moisture spread.
Mark the source, so the repair targets the failed part only.

Why This Saves Money

A leaking shower can be anything from a $10 caulk fix to a full pan replacement. Without testing, many people are told to redo the whole shower. With testing, you know whether it is the valve, the drain, the pan or just the grout.

Common in Lacey Homes

Older homes near central Lacey often have original tub and shower valves and older drain connections.
Two story homes in Hawks Prairie, Meridian Campus and similar areas often have upstairs bathrooms above living rooms or kitchens, so leaks show on the ceiling below.
Single story ramblers, common in 55 and over communities like Jubilee and Oak Tree, usually have bathrooms above a crawl space, so leaks show underneath first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to tear out my shower to find the leak?

No. We test from outside the tile first. Only the failed part needs opening.

Why does the leak only show up after showers?

That points to the drain, the pan, or the grout, not the pressurized supply lines.

My toilet runs on its own sometimes. Is that a leak?

Yes. A worn flapper lets water leak into the bowl, and the tank refills to replace it. It can waste a lot of water.

Can a bathroom leak cause mold?

Yes. Water behind tile and under floors is a common source of hidden mold.

Is caulking enough to fix a leaking shower?

Sometimes, if the leak is at a corner or seam. If the valve, drain or pan is the issue, caulk will not stop it.