Ell-thanks for all the insight and sage advice. I believe that the bathroom floor problem came from water out of the tub/shower and possibly a toilet leak. From under the house this afternoon I could see some water marks coming from where the toilet sits. I also noticed drops of water coming down the toilet drain pipe and the back side of the tub. I have recently caulked around the tub spout (but I mistakenly left the hole on the underside of the spout uncaulked... should I caulk there too?) As you can tell, I am admittedly a beginner at home repair. I think at this point and based on your reply, I have a problem with the toilet drain and the caulking around the tub and grout in the tiles.
A little more info on the subfloor foundation. The space in between joists is actually 22" (I measured this afternoon). When you said I was already on the weak side at 16", I cringed. These are 2X4's with the metal V connector pieces attached to another 2X4. This is a townhouse built in 1986.
How am I supposed to install these additional supports in between joists? The 2X4's lay with the 4" along the floor, am I to drill through the entire 2X4 to reach the perpendicular support? Somehow I doubt it, but can't think of how to attach.
The floor joists run perpendicular to the tub and there is one that I can touch through the hole and another one almost to the back of the tub. You are correct and the plumbing wall is ontop of this subfloor. I pulled away a bit at the bottom and can see the wall. It's not wet and I don't really know how to tell if there is damage. On the other side is the range, a cabinet and then the fridge. There are two different woods I can see from underneath, the original 1" on the bathroom side and then a newer on the kithcen side. The old fridge also had a hole in the condenser bowl (I could see that it had been patched) that may have leaked on that side.
I am getting a little frustrated at this point, only because it is an area that I do not completely understand. I am on a budget, but don't mind doing the labor myself as long as I know what I am doing. From your reply, my mind has now shifted to the tub... Even with the toilet and vanity/sink out of the bathroom, how in the world would I get that tub out??? Am I going to have to retile the whole enclosure? I am one who tends to prefer to handle one thing at a time, but with issues like this, I understand everything must be considered. What will be the first (of many I am now sure) to correct this bathroom problem? Your patience is appreciated as this beginner is eager to learn and to resolve this "issue". Thanks again.
Best regards,
Tally
Tallycat77 |
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