Case of the Dripping Kitchen Ceiling: Solved

An alternative tile for this post would be: Is that a hole in your DuraRock?  Why yes it is!  And the case of the dripping kitchen ceiling (more on that here) is now solved.  It appears that the seat in our beautiful shower was installed incorrectly by a not so expert tile installer.

Today, our contractor and the plumber who installed the plumbing in our addition spent 45 minutes running water in our shower with no luck getting it to drip in the kitchen.  Frustrating for me as I sat there staring at the ceiling and trying to will water to come out. No such luck.  The assessment was that if water was dripping it was a very tiny leak it and it might take several showers to get the water to come out as far as the kitchen ceiling - the plywood would absorb quite a bit before it starts puddling.

Before ripping out the floor of the shower, I suggested ripping out some drywall on the walls outside the shower just to be sure there was no other source.  The next step was to rip out the floor of the shower and replace the pan and hope that was the cause. Thank goodness I suggested this.  

Tonight, while I escaped the house to head to a yoga class (I am a newbie yogi - love it though!), Handy Hubby ripped out some drywall in our upstairs hall which lines up with the back of our shower.  

Once Handy Hubby opened up the hole and ran the shower for a few minutes, he started seeing puddling at the bottom but couldn't figure it out until he cut a little higher to see around the seat.  Bingo.

To give you an idea of what you're looking at, I labeled the picture.

Cutting the Durarock is a BIG no no.  The shower seat is supposed to rest on the tiles below with the tiles above also holding it in place.  Basically, a tile sandwich supported on two of the three sides.  If you want to see how it should be done, check out this You Tube video.  Love the music.

Anyway, if you need more proof that this is a problem, then check out the photo below which I took in the dark hallway but left the lights on in the shower.  Yes, that's light coming through the wall. Where light can get through, so can water. ARGH!!

So, it looks like the area around the seat needs to be ripped out and the tile needs to be replaced and the seat correctly reinstalled after the durarock is properly patched and likely some sort of membrane is attached to be sure water never gets through again.  

We even have a picture of the original Durarock in place thanks to my obsessive picture taking throughout the renovation.  This photo was taken as the Durarock was being installed.  

Let's see how quickly we can get it fixed.  At least it doesn't look like we need to rip out the floor and the walls!

Is that a hole in your kitchen ceiling?

Why yes, it is...

It all started rather innocently when we returned from brunch on Saturday morning.  Handy Hubby noticed a little bit of water on the floor.  

We covered the kitchen with drop cloths before Handy Hubby started digging into the ceiling to figure out the issue.  Handy Hubby wanted me to show you that a full size fitted sheet works as a great fridge drop cloth!

Handy Hubby got the drywall saw out and started taking out all of the water.

 An hour later, we were here...

Diagnosis is being made as I type this.  Fortunately our contractor who built our addition is here and diagnosing the issue with the plumber.  Making good on his unlimited guarantee!!  Thank goodness. 

Definitely seems shower related.  Unclear whether it's the pan or some other pipe issue.

Thrifty Makeover: Metal & Wood Server

I found this fun two-level server at Goodwill a few weeks ago for $2.95 (yes, Goodwill is expensive around here).  I loved the little bird on the top so I decided to go for it.

I tried it with my formal china to see if I liked the look, and it worked.

But I had seen this Nambé giveaway on one of my favorite food blogs, Chef in Training...

Chef in Training

This gave me an idea for my humble server.  I showed Handy Hubby the picture and a few days later, I had this...

Perfect for cheese and crackers, baked goods, or whatever I need it for.  Casual but still elegant enough for the dining room thanks to the gold bird on top.

He used some wood that he already had hoarded on hand in the basement.  I believe it's maple.  He then applied a few coats of food grade oil meant for butcher blocks.  He also routed the underside so there's a lip which overhangs the metal edge and it's nice and secure if I carry the whole thing from the kitchen to the dining room or porch.
Any thrifty finds for you this week?

Linking to: Southern Hospitality, Between Naps on the Porch
My entry into Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Party is sponsored by Appliances Online and the Best Range Cooker.