Water behind tiles

Shrekkie · Post by **Shrekkie** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:37 pm

Hi,

Any help appreciated re the following.

A year ago I finished tiling my shower cubicle. Shower recessed into new stud wall base of WBP ply and tiled over with waterproof tile adhesive, gert big tiles & water proof grout. Nice job, or so I thought...

I have been trying to cure a leak ever since (on and off). I replaced the grout once and re-sealed of the shower tray (three times). However, I took the plunge this week and cut a hole in the back of the stud wall into which the shower is recessed.

I discovered that the leak was in fact coming from the shower outlet elbow. I had used only the washer to seal the elbow onto the brass threaded 'nipple' and not used thread sealer. Water has been leaking down through the back of the tiles and, to a much lesser extent down the back of the ply, into the stud cavity. We are talking dripping rather than gushing out. Enough to come through the ceiling though.

My predicament is, do I (a) just leave it to dry out eventually and hope for the best (b) do I take off the tiles, dry the wood and retile or (c) do I completely replace everything below the leak? Also, is Boss White enough to seal the thread next time?

Many thanks.

Shrekkie

lamntile · Post by **lamntile** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 8:49 pm

Sonds like the washer may not have been seated correctly , you shouldnt need to boss white the joint ,

The best way would be removing the tiles and allowing the timber to dry out , you could just leave it as is to dry and hope you dont get any warping which you shouldnt with the ply

Shrekkie · Post by **Shrekkie** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:40 pm

Thank you lamntile.

The Bristan instructions said to use thread sealer as well as the washer. Somehow I missed the thread sealer bit. Before I found the instruction booklet tried using two washers - that didn't work. I tried ptfe tape - loads of it and that didn't work either.

At least I know I can still get the tiles. It's just a pain in the ar** to have to do it all again, well, up to 6 tiles anyway plus removing the shower door. I guess if the adhesive is wet, at least the tiles shouldn't be too hard to remove?

Thanks again.

Shrekkie