Shower Leak
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13668
Printed Date: 25 May 2025 at 2:18pm
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Topic: Shower Leak
Posted By: vbdomenico
Subject: Shower Leak
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2020 at 6:50pm
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I have a nearly new 2020 R-pod 190. I just used the shower (dry bath) for the 2nd time, and I noticed water coming out onto the floor outside of the bathroom, through the bottom of the wall that is on the other side of the tub. Upon further examination, I figured out the water is running down the plastic shower wall panel, hitting the shower basin, and somehow some of the water is going back into the wall and down. This is very concerning as the water is coming out close to the backside of the converter/fuse panel. There is no caulking where the shower wall meets the basin, and the wall has a lot of play in it to the point that I am not sure that caulking would even work for long. I assumed that the shower basin has a sidewall that runs up a few inches behind the shower wall to prevent this? Has anyone had this issue? I am under warranty, but I am on the start of a 2 week road trip. I am thinking about just placing a thick bead of mildew resistant silicone where the wall meets the basin for now.
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Replies:
Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2020 at 7:31pm
here is a pic... |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 9:40am
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It is unlikely that the water is coming from the walls. The shower pan has a lip and water would need to run uphill a fair distance to get over that lip since it is higher than the covers seen in the photo where the walls are attached to the pan. It is more likely that it is coming from the drain. Either it is leaking because the drain did not have adequate sealant or one or more of the fittings for the drain or the trap were not adequately tightened. You should have an access point. On our 179, it is covered by a metal louvered cover. Remove that and check all the fittings.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 10:42am
| That is what I thought Stephen, but when I ran water down the drain there were no leaks, once I ran it down the wall there was a leak. I checked the piping underneath and it was dry. And it is not leaking out of the center but from the back side. That is why I am so confused. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 10:53am
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It may be there is a crack in the pan then. Look with a strong light in the area where it leaked when you ran the water down the wall and see if you can spot a leak or hole in the pan there. I don't have that model, so I do not know if the wall has any seam(s) though which the water could be leaking.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 11:14am
| I should be able to access the shower wall in that area through the converter panel, i just dont want to take that off for the 1st time on the road. I will probably just silicone until I get home. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 11:43am
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Since you have a new trailer still under warranty, be careful not to do something that will provide an excuse for FR to void the warranty. Maybe just some easily removable tape over the seam between the back wall and the pan might get you through the next couple of weeks? Then pull the tape off as soon as you get home and take it in to the dealer for a warranty claim. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 12:10pm
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+1 to Offgrid's suggestion.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 12:12pm
| Good idea offgrid, any idea on what type of tape would temporarily stop water but not leave a residue upon removal. |
Posted By: Woodmiester
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 12:43pm
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Had that issue on a shower a few years ago. Offgrid has the right idea. Use a good quality 2" vinyl electrical tape. This will stay on very well for a couple of weeks. Should not leave any residue, if it does, a small amount of citrus cleaner will take it off. ------------- Swampfox |
Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 12:48pm
| Thanks Woodmeister, did you figure out what the underlining problem was? |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 12:58pm
Yep, that's the kind of tape I'd recommend as well. Just don't forget and leave it on there! ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 17 Jun 2020 at 1:25pm
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Gorilla tape is also good. It holds together unlike Duct tape, and is not too hard to remove. Goo Gone will get rid of the residue when you do remove it.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2020 at 10:07am
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Lowes didn't have 2 inch electrical tape, so I got waterproof painter's tape. Placed it on the seam where the shower wall meets the pan, and no more leak!
Now I'm worried I have a cracked shower pan and hope it doesn't run down to the bottom before I can get it in. Thanks for the advice. |
Posted By: Woodmiester
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2020 at 10:16am
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Yes I did. It was a small crack in the part of the shower pan that extends up behind the wall. The crack extended down into the shower pan, but I could not see it until I put some weight on the shower pan by standing in it. ------------- Swampfox |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2020 at 10:17am
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Hopefully, the patch will hold until you can get it in. I suggested Gorilla Tape. I still would recommend it as it would reinforce the pan since it is stronger than painter's tape.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2020 at 8:04am
| Woodmiester, what was the fix, replace the shower pan? I hope it is an easier fix as I am booked to be on the road with my r-pod for the next 2 months and likely won't have time for a warranty repair anytime soon. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2020 at 8:16am
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If there is a crack you should see it. Try putting some weight on the pan like Woodmiester did. The good news is that you have stopped the leak. You can always tape up a crack later too. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2020 at 8:49am
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Putting weight on the pan is no issue, I'm 6' 230! I cant see the crack from the inside of the shower as the wall comes all the way down to the horizontal part of the pan. Hopefully I can see and access it from behind the converter.
Thanks again |
Posted By: Woodmiester
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2020 at 3:39pm
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I eventually replaced the shower pan. Not a hard job. ------------- Swampfox |
Posted By: Woodmiester
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2020 at 3:42pm
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I eventually replaced the shower pan. Not a hard job. When you are in the converter area , have some put a bright light on the shower pan. ------------- Swampfox |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2020 at 3:59pm
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We discovered that the shower pans flex when standing on them. this will ultimately cause a crack and a leak. they flex because there is no support under the pan-at least in our 179.. We added 4 supports as follows: Remove the metal grille under the door to the bathroom to access the area under the shower. Measure the height from the subfloor to the bottom of the shower pan-for conversation and clarity, let's assume it is 6" for this discussion-yours will be different. cut 4 blocks from a 2x4 that are 5 1/4" long and also cut 4 squares from 3/4" plywood that are 3 1/2"x3 1/2". Using adhesive like Beats Nails or other construction adhesive put the 2x4x 5 1/4 blocks upright in the 4 corners of the shower. add the 3/4" plywood blocks under the 2x4 blocks to make a solid support between the shower base and the subfloor. the 3/4" space under the 2x4 blocks gives enough clearance that you can turn the blocks upright under the shower floor and then shim under the blocks with the plywood squares. this makes a good tight fit. Use plenty of adhesive between the 2x4 block, the shower pan, the plywood squares and the subfloor. After we glued everything, I added about 100 pounds of weight in the shower until the glue dried. Our shower pan does not flex any more remember that your measurement between the shower pan and subfloor will be different. Take the measurement and subtract 3/4" to make your 2x4 blocks. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2020 at 4:13pm
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I did similar reinforcing with the shower pan in our 179. It really helped.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2020 at 6:32pm
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+2. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: vbdomenico
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2020 at 10:10am
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There is no access like that in the 190 just a small vent opening outside of the bathroom that is 8" by 4", just enough to get to the drain pipe.
So I dont think it will be easy to reinforce. There is a small amount of wall paneling below the shower in the bathroom, but don't know how to remove it. Accessing through the converter panel might be the only option. I will ask the dealer if they can reinforce it once I have a chance to get it in under warranty. |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2020 at 12:21pm
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That is about the same size as the vent opening in the 179. Its tight to work in, but doable. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9">
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Posted By: kickhead70
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2020 at 6:07pm
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i have R180, with corner shower, separate from toilet. there's a leak in the bottom, because the drain flange isn't in tight enough. I have a reinforced platform underneath, but with just 3"-4" access hole, I can't get a hand around the reinforcing platform to try to tighten the flange nut underneath. Even if I remove/replace the shower pan, how do I get it back together tight enough, if I can't even reach in and snug it up now? In mine, part of the floor has a cavity shaved into/carved out of it to make room for the p-trap. there's only about 5" from bottom of pan to top of floor. I'm thinking about cutting a new, larger, access panel in the side of the shower floor pan, but I want to know how I'm going to cover it over before cutting it open. any suggestions? ------------- Wrangler Unlimitied 75th Anniv. Ed. 2017 R-Pod RP180 |
Posted By: kickhead70
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2020 at 7:41pm
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update! I was able to get in there, after a little more persistence, with a large channel lock to tighten down the flange collar. plumbers putty squeezed out from the top, and the flange leveled out and firmed up. it won't slide around anymore. However, in order to see where the leak was coming from, i cleared away all the black foam. how necessary is it to replace the foam? would great stuff work? posting pics in case this helps someone else someday. leak underneath:  flange under shower drain (now tightened):  p-trap with part of floor removed, this was holding leaked water until it leaked out:  shower drain with plumber putty squeezed out:  ------------- Wrangler Unlimitied 75th Anniv. Ed. 2017 R-Pod RP180 |