Possible tile problem? Wet wood? A leak? 1953 bathroom

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

We have a 1953 house and the bathroom tile has an odd pattern along some of the grout lines (see photos). I made lots of surface cleaning attempts. Wondering about the subfloor, I checked under the house. I took photos and saw some dark wood. Questions: Could it be from a prior problem or from a current problem? Would wet wood from a prior problem stay dark? Is the pattern on the tile something that's just part of a 1953 house or is it something that indicates there might be a problem? What next step might you take? Thank you for any advice or help you can offer, Noelle -

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HU-294340272
Original Author

3 years ago

Mystery solved. (See my earlier post for the steps I had already taken to try to get a plumber under the house without success.) I scheduled two crawl space inspectors offering different services, thinking the joists under the bathroom would have to be replaced. The first one said that he didn't see anything serious under the bathroom, and the joist looks fine, but they saw some standing water under the kitchen. he said he wasn't sure if there was a problem or if there had just been some heavy rain. So then I was able to call a different plumber and say "we have standing water under the house." I feel what happened next is an example of exemplary service and professionalism. Even though the old copper pipes had been replaced about 15 years ago, there was a cast iron pipe has had corroded that only handled grey water. (It's not clear why this would have been replaced 15 years ago also, but anyway....) A team of two came out a few days later, did the work in the morning, provided photos and then one of the plumbers said... "We also were under the bathroom and saw that you have a leak from your toilet, so we are going to fix that for free to make sure the job is done right." (He showed me photos from under the house which were similar to the ones I originally posted.) Now all fixes have been made as far as I I know. We have a second crawl space person coming in next week and we're going to keep that appointment. The earlier estimate pointed to other kinds of work that could be done under the house - not sure if we need it, but since one raised the idea we want to match opinions to find out if we have any other problems under the house. Thank you for your responses, they helped me to keep looking and not give up.

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Comments (13)

millworkman
3 years ago
Looks pretty wet to me. Is there a shower in the tub that gets used? However it happens I see a gut demo in the not too distant future for you and that bathroom.
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HU-294340272
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you for the heads-up about this future project you are right there is tub about a half a foot near by shown on the photo marked with red...
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Avanti Tile & Stone / Stonetech
3 years ago
Yeah, no real saving that. Ultimately, it needs to be pulled and replaced. Sorry.....
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HU-294340272
Original Author
3 years ago
I appreciate knowing that -I am wondering if there should be any sort of vapor barrier or anything between the dirt floor and these wood boards I'd always thought there was some sort of material this is a Florida home does anyone know if this kind of home should be left open like this so the house can breathe or is there another approach needed? When I say this kind of home I mean a 1953 cinder block ranch...
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ci_lantro
3 years ago
Is that a toilet across from the tub? Might the leak be from under the toilet?
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HU-294340272
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I am not sure if there is a leak from the toilet, we do not hear it running, and I called plumber #1 today who said "check the meter, if it's not running there is no leak." So I am trying to get a second or third opinion - one that might be more "hands on" :-) (no leak visible or water above the tile).
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krissie55
3 years ago
The toilet can also leak from under it (broken wax ring or other) and the water would go out under the tile, not necessarily show on top of the tile.
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HU-294340272
Original Author
3 years ago
Ah! Got it, thank you - I will read more about this.... will learn moremore
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Wayne Emerson
3 years ago
Could be from under the toilet - we had a small hole in the old lead flange that connected to the drain. We were doing demo anyway and took the toilet area down to joists
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ci_lantro
3 years ago
I am not sure if there is a leak from the toilet, we do not hear it running, and I called plumber #1 today who said "check the meter, if it's not running there is no leak."

The plumber gave you generally good advice but doesn't always apply. A toilet is a reservoir so, if the flange or wax ring have failed or if the flange bolts are broken or loose, the 'leak' would be an event confined to only when the toilet is flushed/ when the water is released from the reservoir, so to speak. So the meter wouldn't give you an indication of that.
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Wayne Emerson
3 years ago
try flushing the toilet - see if you see the water - my guess is lead pipe
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HU-294340272
Original Author
3 years ago
Hello, This is a quick update - a second plumber (from a national chain) came by with a handheld scanner and showed the spots of moisture on the floor (confirmed it was not a simple stain). They said they could pressurize the pipes to force any pinhole leaks, but advised us against it as not likely to help. So that honesty was helpful. Our next step over the next few weeks is to have several crawlspace companies come in to check from below and provide estimates on work related to the joists. I will check back in if I learn anything meaningful (like a solution! or at least helpful next steps.)
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