Sleeving/relining shower waste

[r44flyer]

Hello all...

My in-laws have a leaking shower waste which has started damaging the ceiling beneath. It appears a repair will involve tearing up the mosaic tiled floor over the shower tray.

I have seen sewers being repaired with self curing liners that funnel themselves through the pipe and harden in situ, providing a new leak free passage for the water. Does such a thing exist for small diameter pipes? Ie. Standard 40mm bathroom waste fittings? It would seem a very neat solution to avoid disturbing the bathroom floor! I can't find anything other than commercial stuff that's quite large.

Has anyone else tried to solve a similar problem?

Thanks.

[finlo]

I would 99% say the leak was coming anywhere else than the waste pipe!

[Sheepshanks]

Can they get at it through the ceiling?

[r44flyer]

Ceiling is an option, but the damage is repairable at the moment, making holes for access would likely mean a replaster. Obviously not the end of the world.

Why would you suggest the leak is anywhere other than the waste?

[Mad Maximus]

He means the pipe. Pipes don’t leak joins do.

[Little Lofty]

Repair through the ceiling, far better than disturbing the shower tray. I done similar a few weeks ago, I left a hole in the ceiling for two weeks to make sure it was 100%, then repaired the hole.

[alfabeat]

Are you 100% certain it is the waste that is leaking?

Don't use the shower for a while. Still leaking, then a feed pipe to the shower.

Pour water directly down the waste drain. If no leaks, then something else is the problem (probably seal around the tray)

Block up the waste drain and spray water liberally over the shower area.

This should help 100% identify which part of the shower is leaking.

If it is the waste drain, then personally I would be tackling it from below through the ceiling. It sounds like a huge job, but really quite simple and less destructive than pulling the shower tray out.

[r44flyer]

It only leaks in use. I guess it could be an issue with the tray/tiling, but nothing is obvious. Difficult to block the drain and soak the tray as it's only a dipped floor, if you know what I mean, but will have a bash.

I'm starting to think going through the downstairs ceiling is the answer.

[eps]

r44flyer said:

It only leaks in use. I guess it could be an issue with the tray/tiling, but nothing is obvious. Difficult to block the drain and soak the tray as it's only a dipped floor, if you know what I mean, but will have a bash.

I'm starting to think going through the downstairs ceiling is the answer.

I was going to suggest this - if you don't want to remove the flooring, go through the ceiling below..

How long has the shower been in place? We had issues with our showers where the grout started to give up and then leaks and it doesn't take much to cause a problem. I think the original pipework was a bit terrible, but didn't leak. The grout issue started to become more and more of an issue, such that we replaced the shower using a local fitter who came recommended.

[bennno]

more likely to be tiny cracks in the grout and / or silicone around the edge of the tray.

but as already suggested any tradesman should be able to cut a square of the ceiling out below to potentially identify the leak and replace the waste - although theres a good chance the joists may be in the way - in which case it'll all have to come up anyway.....

[Mr Pointy]

r44flyer said:

It only leaks in use. I guess it could be an issue with the tray/tiling, but nothing is obvious. Difficult to block the drain and soak the tray as it's only a dipped floor, if you know what I mean, but will have a bash.

I'm starting to think going through the downstairs ceiling is the answer.

Start off by pouring water straight down the drain - if it doesn't leak then look at getting water onto the tiling & tray.