# Diagnosis leaking tub/shower **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 11, 2011, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnosis-leaking-tub-shower/605786 "2011-12-11T00:28:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnosis-leaking-tub-shower/605786/21 "2011-12-19T01:36:46Z")
Are you sure it’s not a leak outside the bathtub, like on the floor right next to it? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2011, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnosis-leaking-tub-shower/605786/22 "2011-12-19T02:11:37Z")
I created a very slow leak when I replaced the faucet in my tub. It would only leak when the diverter valve was pulled up to use the shower. When the shower was in use, a small amount of water would back up out of the faucet and drip down the back of the tub. ---
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnosis-leaking-tub-shower/605786/23 "2011-12-27T19:28:29Z")
Over this weekend we noticed that the shower only leaked when my son showered. When he is finished with the shower the shower head is frequently pointed to the tiled wall. I ran water over the walls and reproduced the leak when I put the water on the short wall that contains the shower, tub spout and faucet controls. I am going out now to buy some silicon sealer which I will place around where the water control and tub spouts are. Hopefully, when I retest there will be no leak. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnosis-leaking-tub-shower/605786/24 "2011-12-27T20:15:17Z")
Three threads on same subject merged. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![CAMJAY77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5fc32e/32.png) [@CAMJAY77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CAMJAY77)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2011, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnosis-leaking-tub-shower/605786/25 "2011-12-27T23:47:13Z")
I had a similar problem 4-5 years ago. Found that behind the tub/shower there was a leak - a fitting went bad and every time the shower was used it would leak and drip on the basement ceiling. Luckily there was access to it through a wall in the bedroom closet that is behind the tub/shower. ---
**Author:** ![jsyzghan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbe5ce/32.png) [@jsyzghan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsyzghan)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnosis-leaking-tub-shower/605786/26 "2015-03-28T21:50:34Z")
I am having exactly the same issue, and would like to learn from your experience. Thank you. > [@beowulff](#): > > I created a very slow leak when I replaced the faucet in my tub. It would only leak when the diverter valve was pulled up to use the shower. When the shower was in use, a small amount of water would back up out of the faucet and drip down the back of the tub. ---
**Author:** ![Emmy2635](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/919ad9/32.png) [@Emmy2635](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emmy2635)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnosis-leaking-tub-shower/605786/27 "2015-03-29T00:26:02Z")
It could be the overflow valve leaking. You would see this type of leaking infrequently, maybe only when someone takes a bath or points the shower head directly at the overflow drain. It is a simple o-ring replacement. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diagnosis-leaking-tub-shower/605786.md?page=1)