RSSAn Easy Test To Expose Your Corner Shower Pans For Leaks
House and Home bathroom leaks, corner shower leaks, corner shower pans, DIY guide No Comments
Corner shower pans may not usually be something you are aware of, but they sure do cost a lot once you have to replace one. More often than not, they are usually the first thing to be blamed when outflows or leaks occur in the bathroom, especially on the floor. However, since shower pans are not usually the cause of the problem, many people spend a considerable amount of money replacing a perfectly good fixture. So, before you make a diagnosis, be sure to test the shower pan, to see if it is really the reason for the water leakage.
Basically, the materials that you will need for testing the corner showers pan for leaks consist of duct tape, a flashlight, and a tape measure. Normally a professional plumber would opt for a 2 inches inflatable test ball to seal the drain, but since you will only be doing this procedure once or twice in your lifetime, that is an expense you can probably forgo. Duct tape to seal the drain will let you test the shower pan itself.
When you begin your testing, make sure that the floor is dry before placing the duct tape firmly over the drain. Fill the shower floor with no more than one inch of water and look for water discharge within the perimeter of your shower. You may use your flashlight to aid you in your search. There is no need to worry if you cannot find the source of the leak immediately. Most leaks are slow to show up so it is best to conduct the test for at least eight hours. Use the tape measure to monitor the height of the water. If the water continues to recede, then fill it up again until you regain its original height.
Other sources of leaks which you should look out for are the shower door, bathroom faucet and cracks on the wall. If the water does not flow through any of these paths, then the leak is probably at the seal between the drain, or at the bottom of the pan. Either way, you might still need to install a new corner shower pan as a replacement, unless the leak is in a place that it can be stopped by resealing with something like silicone caulk, or a shower pan repair kit. Repair kits can be purchased at a local hardware store or ordered online, sometimes from the same manufacturer that made the shower pan.