2nd Floor Bathroom Leak into ceiling in Kitchen.. Average costs?

Question

Please help! First time I have experienced a water leak.  My second floor bathroom is leaking into the ceiling of my kitchen as showed in this picture. Does anyone know a good plumber in Arizona and/or the estimated costs on fixing this?  Much appreciated! - Jared

Bryan Devitt · Answer

Ceiling paint doesn't hold moisture, it will dry through the sheetrock over time. Give it a week or two and paint it with Kilz. If no one is living there then use oil based, if someone lives there then water based. It won't be as effective and it will take  multiple coats but it doesn't smell like oil based.

Cody Timmers · Answer

I've dealt with larger leaks in the same situation. Its never fun.

From the picture yours doesn't look too bad. Just make sure whatever caused the leak is 100% fixed. Many times the whole drain assembly under the bath tub has failed/leaks.

If no more leaks, and the ceiling drywall is solid, and not spongy, weak, or wet feeling I would just prime with oil stain blocking primer and repaint. The smell of the oil primer will not last very long, and it will do a much better job than water based.

Wes Blackwell · Answer

@Jared Smith

Bummer man! Sorry that happened!

No way to estimate cost, as the damage is behind the drywall, and you won't know how much there is or exactly what needs to be fixed until you get in there and look. Could be something as simply as an overflowed toilet that just simply needs to have a clog removed.

Best advice is discern what caused it the best you can, and then have several plumbers come take a look. If they know they are competing for the job you'll get better pricing and a more accurate diagnosis. Best of luck and I hope the damage isn't too bad!

Jared Smith · Answer

@Wes Blackwell Thanks for the advice and this is going to be my most extensive DIY project.  Hoping for the best!

Jared Smith · Answer

@Terrell Hill This is from the second floor master bathroom and leak from the overflow tub drain.  I had a plumber look at it and cleaned/re-caulked where the foam gasket completely deteriorated and replaced the broken shower handle for 320.

Then the restoration guy came and did not detect any moisture in the garage wall or upstairs bathroom.  The moisture was obviously where the drywall shows being wet and the far right side 4-5 inches down the wall.  He told me to file a claim with my insurance and it would be roughly 1500.

I also had a different plumber come out that I liked better and installed a water pressure regulator for 275 because was water pressure was at 100 PSI.  Apparently it is only supposed to be at 60-70 PSI.

My contractor in CLE told me to cut a hole in the drywall and let it dry out because you can't paint over it and you need to make sure the moisture gets out and no mold.  Then check again for leaks and then repair....

Your thoughts?

2nd Floor Bathroom Leak into ceiling in Kitchen.. Average costs?

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