[hamsfc59]

When we have torrential downpours - the every 3 or 4 years apart type - water seeps up through the grout in my shower floor. I'm not sure who to go to for advice. Some water does collect between my house and the neighbor (12 feet apart) just outside the bathroom. I'm wondering whether I should install side gutters, a French drain or perhaps I have a cracked pan under the shower floor. My house is 18 years old. Any suggestions where to start? Thanks.

[retiredguy123]

It sounds like you need an area drain between the houses with a drain pipe running toward the street. Typically, the drain would be a 12 inch by 12 inch plastic box with a grille, and the pipe would be a 6 inch plastic pipe terminating near the street with a pop-up outlet fixture. You should also make sure that the ground is sloped toward the area drain to collect the rain water. A good landscaper can install it for a reasonable cost.

[villagetinker]

You should be able to check the pan by sealing the drain, and partially filling the shower pan, then see if the water disappears. Short of ripping up the tile I have no idea of the best way to stop the leak. Another thought, it could be a damaged drain pipe, and an inspection camera might show the crack or damage, any of the larger plumbers should be able to do this.

[retiredguy123]

If the water in the shower only occurs when there is a heavy rain, I don't think it has anything to do with the shower pan or the sanitary drain pipe from the shower. If there is groundwater collecting under the slab, it will find its way into the shower floor. How do you know the water is seeping up through the grout and not through the drain itself, or from around the shower pan?

[Topspinmo]

Yes you need side gutter’s to get water off you’re roof to street IMO. That could reduce you’re problem of standing water on saturated ground?

IMO the French Drain would carry the low spot water collection to street if gutters didn’t work? IMO house that 18 years old may have small foundation crack in foundation allowing water to wick up. Especially if the shower floor equal to or lower than the standing water outside the wall? IMO that’s the only way outside water on ground can work it’s way inside house from crack and wicking? Also IMO I wouldn’t want standing water close to foundation. Ground already saturated after heavy rains, it need to run off somewhere. Gutters may help????? And probably first cheapest option?

I have ask? Does your neighbor have gutter’s on that side?

One thing I like about CYVs they all have gutters all way around being the houses are so close. They also have back yard drains.

After thought? Next time you get down poor put some green dye in standing water see if you green water in you’re shower? If so you found the problem?

[hamsfc59]

I've put down paper towels after drying the floor. Then water stains, in straight lines directly above the grout lines, begin to appear.
The grout lines nearest the drain (the low point in the shower floor) appear first, but the water also pushes through other grout lines. Thanks for responding.

[hamsfc59]

My neighbor does not have gutters. Good response on green dye and interesting about CYVs. 12 feet is pretty close to neighbor. I appreciate your helpful response. Thanks.

[hamsfc59]

Thanks for replying. I didn't realize a landscaper would do drainage work. I was thinking maybe sprinkler guys but of course, a landscaper would run into drainage situations all the time.

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by hamsfc59

When we have torrential downpours - the every 3 or 4 years apart type - water seeps up through the grout in my shower floor. I'm not sure who to go to for advice. Some water does collect between my house and the neighbor (12 feet apart) just outside the bathroom. I'm wondering whether I should install side gutters, a French drain or perhaps I have a cracked pan under the shower floor. My house is 18 years old. Any suggestions where to start? Thanks.

That shower floor should have a thick membrane that runs up the wall 3-4inches so if it contains your shower water how is water getting through it in reverse. Any wet floors in adjacent rooms, baseboards looking warped? Is the shower a typical tile shower in a courtyard with a door and a ledge or is it a Roman shower that you could roll a wheelchair in to?

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by hamsfc59

Thanks for replying. I didn't realize a landscaper would do drainage work. I was thinking maybe sprinkler guys but of course, a landscaper would run into drainage situations all the time.

Don’t forget to involve the Architectural Review Committee on this one. You may need a surveyor to check the elevations.

Has anyone here ever installed a sump pump in the garage that can pump out under slab water if it occurs and pump it out to the street? That is a common fix in many states for a high water level in a basement.

[Proveone]

Gutters will help. The sitting rain water is seeping through the concrete slab. I had a similar problem and gutters solved the issue.

[withease23]

We had the same problem. Turned out the drain pipe under the tile was cracked. The sand was soaked. Nope this helps.

[JayK!]

Yes to the gutters and downspout away from bathroom or daylight to lowest point of property.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Proveone

Gutters will help. The sitting rain water is seeping through the concrete slab. I had a similar problem and gutters solved the issue.

I agree that gutters will help. But, you could still have a lot of water between the houses, especially if the next door neighbor doesn't also install gutters. An area drain and proper ground sloping may be required.

[DAVES]

Most of our lots are sandy clay. Some sections actually have a layer of clay below the,"soil you see." The point is the land does not drain well.

When, we bought our home we had a puddle in our back yard. We were told it is only an issue if it sits for 24 hours. Obviously you need to draw a line somewhere. I documented the issue and our builder sent a crew. They checked the grade, it was wrong. At his expense they regraded our backyard and solved the problem.

People change their property. Down spouts, the water has to go somewhere. The people who do this work are interested it doing it cheap. No thought what so ever that they are dumping your water onto your neighbor. A pool? Driving heavy equipment over
the soil, permanently compacts the soil. Particularly when it is what we have, wet clay.