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Our friend Jake in Sacramento, CA wrote in this week with a pretty serious plumbing inquiry. Jake says:
“Until recently, I always thought I was fortunate to have a bathroom both upstairs and downstairs in my home. It just made everything so much more convenient when my family was getting ready for work and school in the mornings. I never thought about what was under that upstairs bathroom, though. Well, that has all changed now.
I’m writing today to ask how much a tub leaking through a ceiling costs to fix. My tub has started to leak down through my ceiling, with water dripping into my living room of all places. This problem is especially bad when someone takes a bath upstairs. I know enough to know that some serious work is going to need to be done, but if you could give me a rough price estimate, that would be great! Thanks for all your advice over the years.” – Jake from Sacramento
As you say, Jake, you definitely need to have some serious plumbing repair work done to fix this issue, likely by a professional. But, as you also say, I know the cost to fix a tub leaking through a ceiling is probably your second most pressing concern—behind how fast you can get it fixed. So with that in mind, I’m happy to talk today about how much a tub leaking through a ceiling will cost to fix, as well as what work likely needs to be done and why. Let’s get to it!
How Much Does a Tub Leaking Through a Ceiling Cost to Fix?
First and foremost, let’s start with how much a tub leaking through a ceiling costs to fix. Our friend Jake is right to ask for a rough estimate; these things tend to vary by the size of a house, the damage done, and many other factors. I would say to expect so spent at least $700, just on having someone open up your ceiling, repair the leaky pipes, and do the replacement sheetrock when they’re done. Ultimately, the whole process can cost up to $3,000.
I would say to expect so spent at least $700… Ultimately, the whole process can cost up to $3,000.
There are, however, many variables that can raise this price, including how many pipes need to be replaced, whether or not the leaky pipes have led to mold growth (always a concern in scorching hot Sacramento), and how extensive the work that needs to be done to open up your ceiling is. In some older houses with traditional wood floors, this can definitely be the case.
Jake isn’t specific about what type of home he lives in, but an expert plumbing professional can likely give him a more exact price estimate ASAP. My biggest piece of advice is to call a plumber out ASAP.
What Needs to Be Done to Fix a Tub Leaking Through a Ceiling?
To fix a tub leaking through a ceiling, a plumber obviously has to get to the pipes that are leaking in the first place. This often involves either cutting through the ceiling or the floor. Typically, we go through the ceiling because the water leaking down has damaged that material anyway, which means that it will ultimately need to be replaced.
Once we can get to the source of the problem, leaky pipes can and should almost always be replaced. As I’ve talked about in the past, the cost to replace pipes can vary based on the type of pipes you have, with things like galvanized pipes costing more money. A plumber usually doesn’t need to do plumbing leak detection for this type of job; since the leak is in the ceiling, the source is obvious and apparent. Finally, the last part of the process is sealing up the ceiling again (nobody wants a hole there), and painting it.
What to Do If You Have a Tub Leaking Through Your Ceiling
Quite honestly, Jake shouldn’t waste another minute before calling a plumber. Folks, I’ve been working on residential plumbing now for many years, and I don’t think I can recall a single scenario where a leak in a ceiling just went away on its own. And, as I’ve established above, ceiling leaks are best left to the professionals.
Not only can an experienced professional determine an exact price estimate, but they can also get started on the work ASAP to avoid mold, which is another time-sensitive matter.
So, while generally speaking a tub leaking through a ceiling cost is between $700 and $3,000, I would strongly urge Jake and anyone else with this issue to call a plumber right away. Not only can an experienced professional determine an exact price estimate, but they can also get started on the work ASAP to avoid mold, which is another time-sensitive matter.
I know it’s not fun to have to pay for something like a leaky pipe in a ceiling, but look at it this way: before this whole thing started, Jake was feeling lucky to have two bathrooms in his house. The faster he gets it fixed, the faster he can go back to enjoying that feeling all over again. He just needs to find the right plumber for the job.
Contact the plumbing professionals at Bell Brothers to learn more about how much a tub leaking through a ceiling costs to fix, or to simply talk about making plumbing upgrades in your home, including going to a tankless water heater. We’ll also offer recommendations that are sure to increase your year-round efficiency—and decrease your water bills.
Wondering how to finance a new HVAC system, windows, or plumbing project? HERO is a unique financing option that helps California homeowners afford energy efficient upgrades to their home. Contact Bell Brothers, a HERO-approved contractor, to learn more. Our local HVAC, plumbing, and window specialists will walk you through the entire process, from applications to installation.
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