# Help me understand my bathroom leak problem!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-my-bathroom-leak-problem/372677>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 14, 2006, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-my-bathroom-leak-problem/372677 "2006-09-14T13:30:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-my-bathroom-leak-problem/372677/1 "2006-09-14T13:30:22Z")

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Today I was showering as normal, and noticed the water in the tub wasn’t draining. It eventually did drain, but took a VERY long time. When I got out, the bathroom floor was covered in water. What exactly could be the problem, and should I call the water company or a plumber? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Stan\_Shmenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-my-bathroom-leak-problem/372677/2 "2006-09-14T13:40:54Z")

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There is probably a blockage sowhere that is backing up the drain through a leak and then on to your floor. You need a plumber. The water company supplies you with water, You are the one who has to use it. Do you rent? This would come under the landlord’s responsibility (as well as his own best intrest) to repair, at least in most places in the US.

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**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-my-bathroom-leak-problem/372677/3 "2006-09-14T14:17:19Z")

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That’s one I haven’t heard. Unless there is a crack in the bathtub itself, it sounds pretty serious and is probably something you are going to have to get into the walls (or under the floor) to fix. I think a plumber is in order.

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**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-my-bathroom-leak-problem/372677/4 "2006-09-14T15:23:07Z")

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[QUOTE=Wee Bairn]  
Today I was showering as normal, and noticed the water in the tub wasn’t draining. It eventually did drain, but took a VERY long time. When I got out, the bathroom floor was covered in water. What exactly could be the problem, and should I call the water company or a plumber? Thanks!  
[/QUOTE]  
If there is a lever actuated drain plug it could well be in that and/or the trap immediately under the tub outlet.  
Landlord first, plumber second, as others suggested. Good luck!

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**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2006, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-my-bathroom-leak-problem/372677/5 "2006-09-14T15:31:52Z")

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Thanks all!