Although we don’t highly recommend DIY plumbing work (not just because it affects our revenue!), we understand that summoning a professional every time a small plumbing issue crops up in your home can be a taxing affair, both on your pocket as well as your time.

Being a customer-centric company, we hereby present to you many useful DIY plumbing tips in two different parts. So, let’s throw light on some general ones among them:

General DIY Plumbing Tips

• Always make it a point that you turn off the water supply to the particular area that you’re carrying out the job on. To do so, turn left to loosen and right to tighten.
• Your bathroom plumbing tool kit must be equipped with the following: a bucket, a plunger, towels, rags, two adjustable wrenches, a small and a large multi-head screwdriver (or an Allen keys set instead of the small screwdriver) and a plumber’s wrench.
• In case you’re working on a sink or a tub, make sure that you shut the drain with a tape so that nothing falls into it accidentally.
• Whenever you take something apart, ensure that you lay the opened parts down in the same order that you take them out.
• Carry old parts with you whenever you go to any store to purchase replacements.

Let us now discuss some specific DIY plumbing tips with regard to top four plumbing issues that can crop up in your home. We’ll discuss the first issue in this part, followed by the next three issues covered in the part 2 of this article.

Toilet Leaks

So what do you think causes your toilet to leak? – Well, it could be a damaged or corroded flapper, a very short or very long chain or a broken fill valve.

How can you fix a leaking toilet? – It depends on the exact problem. Based on that you can fix it in the following ways:

• If the issue is with the toilet flush arm chain and it is only about an inch extra, unhook the chain and re-adjust it.
• Make sure that the rubber flapper (that is connected to the above mentioned chain) properly covers the hole from where the water comes in. In case it doesn’t, attach it properly. If the flapper is in place, unclip it check for damage or erosion. It will need replacement if it is damaged or eroded.
• In case the water level is lower or higher in comparison to the water level on the inside of toilet, you might need to adjust the float arm or the fill valve (in modern toilets). While making adjustments to a new-age ball-less fill valve, locate the vertical arm on the fill valve’s main body. Either make use of a screwdriver to adjust or loosen up the bar or squeeze the clip for easy up or down movement of the arm. If you’re working with a float arm with a ball instead, gently press and bend the arm to adjust it back into its place.

In the next part of this article, we’ll discuss the DIY Plumbing tips for leaking faucets, clogged drains and mold on the silicone.

In the meanwhile, please feel free to contact us at  (403) 216-8439 for any sort of help with plumbing in Calgary. We would be delighted to help you!

Lack of sufficient supply of water is rapidly becoming a global issue. It seems to be in the new more frequent, than one can remember.  People all over the world are inventing various types of water conservation procedures in order to tackle the worsening water supply woes. As a start, you can begin conserving water at your home itself and benefit the whole community too in the process. You can effectively reduce your water consumption by as much as 35% by adopting certain methods. Some of those are:

One way saving water at home is by making sure that all the pipes and faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms do not have any sort of leakage and are in perfect working condition. If you look closely, such leakages can cause hundreds of gallons of water wastage.

Every time you use the flush in your toilet, at least 5-7 gallons of water is wasted. All this wastage can be cut down by stopping the use of flush as an ashtray or a wastebasket.

Toilet leaks often go undetected and are one of the main culprits of water wastage. You can check the leakages in toilet by adding some color to the toilet’s tank and then observing the color in the toilet bowl, say after about half an hour.

The presence of color in the toilet bowl will indicate leakage and will require immediate repair work. Although you might have to replace some parts, since they are normally not very expensive, it will be money well spent and will pay off in the long run.

You can also monitor the water leakages by keeping a track of your home’s water meter. The reading in water meter should remain constant if no water is being used anywhere in the home. Any change in the water meter reading despite no water usage will indicate leakages.

You must install faucets and showerheads that have low water flow and the faucets must be fitted with aerators.

It is advisable to replace all the flushes with the models that have ultra low volume flush, in which only about 6 liters of water is used per flush.

Insulating the water pipes in your home with pre-silt foam can help in saving energy and water needed for heating purposes.

Other day-to-day common measures like turning the tap off while brushing your teeth, employing dishwasher and washing machines for full load washes, taking shorter showers, shaving with stored water rather than running water etc. can contribute significantly to your efforts to conserve water.

Coming to your lawns and gardens, you can plant drought resistant shrubs and plants to make sure that they do not require huge amounts of water supply for their maintenance.

We are a highly efficient plumbing company, contact us for any kind of your plumbing issues at your home or to seek any help in water conservation procedures.

In Canada, we are not unaccustomed to below freezing point temperatures for some months in a year. We receive many calls in the  winter season that are primarily about no water in kitchen and/or bathroom sinks due to frozen pipes. Usually in such cases all faucets are working fine and the customers wonder if there is some easy way to unthaw the pipes without tearing up the wall.

Please note, there is no simple solution or easy fix for frozen pipes. What needs to be done in such cases is that pipe(s) need to be heated well from both sides of the wall. You may also have to tent the wall from outside if required. What is worrisome is that if the pipe is frozen, it may also be cracked in all likelihood. Hence, after defrosting, you might be left with a broken and heavily leaking pipe inside the wall.

This scenario demands that you call an experienced and professional plumber who will be able to carefully open the wall from either side, locate the frozen area of the pipe, defrost it, repair the crack and then test it well.

Once the pipe is repaired and tested, the plumber will have to insulate the pipe and wall cavity to prevent any future freezing, followed by patching up the wall. Please note, if not insulated properly, the problem will certainly relapse. This is all the more possible in case of all uninsulated exterior wall cavities through which pipes are running. Thus, plan ahead now and guard your home against any such frozen pipes this winter.

We at ClearView Plumbing & Heating have a team of expert plumbers who can shield your home from any such occurrences in future.

Identifying a Plumbing Professional

The very first look as soon as you open the door can tell you a lot. If his clothes are dirty, it will usually be his pants. His uniform shirt on the other hand will be clean.

• He should look clean-cut. His face and hands should also be clean.
• Take a look at his truck. It should be spotless and well maintained. A real plumbing professional will make sure that he comes off as a professional. After all you cannot entrust someone with the responsibility of your home if they don’t appear to be able to take good care of themselves.
• Notice the way he talks about your plumbing problems. Discuss a small problem with him to check is he has enough knowledge and is capable of solving it.
• Ask him to solve a little problem that you have and observe him. Notice the way he approaches it, the organization of his work, his etiquette, etc.
• Is he keeping his workstation clean? Is he doing a neat job? Is he showing you and your house respect? Is he making a fuss about you watching him while he works? – If any of these are answered with a no, he is probably not the one you want to hire.
• You want to make sure that you are entirely comfortable with the plumber before hiring him as you want to stick with one plumber for a long time.

Although unbelievable, many plumbers will fail these tests. When it comes to your plumbing, you want to hand over the responsibility only to a true professional. And when it comes to money, they will all charge the same. An impostor will charge just as much a professional because he thinks he is one. So don’t compromise on the quality of the work for the sake of money.

Finding a truly professional plumber

The task of finding a truly professional plumber is not as hard as you think.

• Use the internet to do research. Look for companies in your area and have a look at reviews about the company.
• Avoid companies that have reviews like “he solved the problem in just 15 minutes and charged only $50”. These are good only if you need in and out technicians (read the previous article)
• The keywords that you should look out for in the review should be on the lines of – “He found”, “he could fix” or “he thoroughly”. These will show you companies that focus on teaching the plumbers to find long term thorough solutions.
• When you call the company, schedule a service visit right away. NEVER ask them about their rates. If the company is advertising free estimates, they will not offer a quote over the phone. You do not want a free estimate, you want to find the best plumber to do your job for you.
• To obtain the best value for money with your plumber: to schedule a service visit, let them know what your problem is and the urgency of the problem. Explain clearly what is wrong and tell them you’re looking for a long term solution.
• If you’ve had bad experiences with plumbers earlier, you may share it with them. There is no need to bad mouth the other plumber, just make sure you will only settle for the best. The company should see this as a good opportunity and send you one of the best plumbers.

Dealing with the plumber

Firstly, follow the above steps and determine if the plumber is a professional. If you don’t have a small problem to ask him to fix, collect estimates.

It is always recommended to get the plumber to fix something small, during which you can notice if your relationship with this plumber will be useful forever. If you don’t have any such problem, make sure you get more than one estimate before you decide on your plumber. This is not only to ensure you are not being swindled out of your money but also to make sure the plumber is a professional. As mentioned earlier, do NOT compromise on the quality of work for the sake of expenses because professional work will keep your plumbing structures problem-free for a long time.

Ask the plumber to get started on a small job if there is one. Be prepared to face the ‘bump’. The bump is additional fixing that the plumber will offer to do for an extra charge. There is no harm in him doing the work, it may improve the quality of your structure. It is always better to make use of additional benefits as long the work is truly beneficial. The following are tips which will help you tackle the bump.

• Trust your instincts. If they are telling to give it a day of thought, tell the plumber you will think over it and let him know.
• Does it need to be done that very day? Ask your plumber. Most things don’t need to the be the same day – this will help you know if he is being honest.
• Ensure that you are aware completely of what the plumber wants to do and how it benefits you.
• Weigh the benefits against the cost. Is it worth getting done?
• Is this the right plumber to do the job? If you know someone better, hire them.

At the end of it, money plays a big role when it comes to choosing a plumber. It is necessary to find a plumber who will work within your budget. But never go for a plumber because he charges the least, it could land you in trouble in the future. It is better to spend more in the beginning and have lesser problems than to spend little but more number of times, it will work out more expensive eventually.

DIY plumbing is something that either people love or something that they indulge in to save some cash on plumbing repairs. Painting the walls on a free weekend when there is nothing great on television is quite different from undertaking complex plumbing repairs on your own. Ask any plumber in your vicinity and s/he will testify to the fact that there are more DIY plumbing disaster related jobs than normal plumbing tasks every year.

What might appear easy to do on YouTube or in an e-book could be a different ball game altogether in reality. Even if you have read the instructions well and the pictures/videos clearly detail the whole procedure, getting your hands dirty just because toilet won’t flush, can be a pretty hard affair after a busy week.

Although plumbing matters should ideally be left to people who are experts in them, i.e. plumbers, there are certain things that everyone in your home can do in order to prevent the occurrence of any plumbing issues.

Clogs alone are the single biggest causes of plumbing problems in most of the households. Therefore, preventing them from building up solves 80% of the problems. Please take care that you never flush anything like toilet roll or body waste down the loo. Despite the fact that packing of many such substances states that they are flushable, most often they are not.

Another thing that often causes clogs is the hair that falls while taking shower. Ensure that there is some type of good grate fitted which can effectively catch all those loose hair.

Although clogs are the causes of maximum plumbing issues, they are not the only ones. Frozen pipes, slow toilets and leaky pipes can all create havoc when least expected. This is why it is extremely important to not take matters into your own hand and take help of a seasoned plumbing professional.

We at ClearView Plumbing & Heating have a team of such tenured professionals who have been solving people’s plumbing problems for many years.

With winter at your doorstep, are you looking for some great tips to ensure that your gas furnace holds you in good stead? Well, this comprehensive guide would look to help you, put your best foot forward by offering help with basic furnace questions. These include simple ones like how to go about changing the filter on the furnace, how to check the airflow and what would be the right thing to do when the gas furnace doesn’t light up. We hope that these tips will help you stay warm and cosy this winter.

How to turn on your gas furnace?

No, you are definitely not the only person who wants an answer to this question. A lot of others are wondering about the same thing. But here is a step by step procedure of accomplishing the task.

You have to spot the gas furnace braker which would be on your electric panel board. The panels are usually located inside the garage or the basement. The braker is easy to spot with a furnace sticker. All you have to do is to turn it on.

Once you turn on the braker, you will have to turn the furnace on, and the switch would be located somewhere near the furnace itself, usually in the eye level or a bit higher.

Set the switch for selector to Heat and make sure the furnace is on. You have to set the thermostat for the temperature you need and that would ensure your house has a heating unit on, and working.

Testing the airflow of the furnace

How often have you not found one of the rooms not warming up to your satisfaction? The garbage bag airflow test for furnaces should be able to indicate to you if your furnace registers are all functioning properly and there is a healthy supply of warm air being pumped out. There are 2 essential steps for this test.

Tape the garbage bag to something that will keep it open, like a cardboard, for example and crush it flat.

Place it near the exhaust hood or register and then check the time taken for the garbage bag to get inflated fully.

When the inflation time is 10 seconds, it means that the airflow is 10L/s nearly. This is an indicator of the fact that the furnace is not pumping as much heat into the room as you would have liked in the ideal scenario. In fact, this simple method could be used as a litmus test after major renovations or repairs involving the heating units in a house.

What if your furnace refuses to ignite?

Don’t panic, if it doesn’t ignite one fine winter morning. If your fan is running but sending you only cold air with the furnace on, try the simple trick of turning off the furnace for some time and then turning it on. If it works, well and good; otherwise you should call furnace investigation specialists.

Changing the furnace filter

Here are some simple tips when it comes to the furnace filter and its condition.

Airflow from the furnace could be maintained at optimum when you ensure that the filter is properly maintained and in the right working condition.

As a precaution, the furnace filter has to be changed once every 3 to 6 months.

For the gas furnace to work efficiently you will have to check the furnace filter every month and inspect it for problems.

The first thing would be to open the external rack, also called panel door. Slide out the furnace filter and check for darkness or discolouration on the filter.

The trick is to change the filter whenever you are unable to look through it.

The new filter has to be installed in the airflow direction, sliding it in.

Checklist for troubleshooting furnace problems

When your furnace seems to be out of order, there are some immediate questions that you need to be asking before you make a frantic call to the furnace technicians. This might help you fix the problem yourself saving some money too. Here is a list of things to check before resorting to the final step of calling for help.

Check if the furnace venting has been blocked due to snow. If yes, clear the blockage and try turning it on.

The thermostat has to be set to Heat position. The temperature should be set to normal room temperature.

The batteries of the programmable thermostat should be fresh.

The circuit braker inside the electric panel has to be in the right position.

The door of the furnace has to be closed and the furnace should be turned on. It could have been turned off by accident.

The furnace filter has to be inspected regularly and changed every now and then.

Removing Blockages from Vents in the Right Way

As soon as you suspect a problem with the furnace’s exterior vent, the first thing to do would be to check for any blockages in the vent, such as ice, snow or even household articles.

If yes, turn off the furnace, remove the obstruction and then turn it back on through the breaker or switch.

The fan motor of the furnace could have seized to work, if there isn’t any airflow through the interior vent of the furnace. This is one problem, the furnace technicians are better equipped to handle.

How to React to a Gas Leak?

If you have sniffed the smell of a rotten egg, there could be the chance of a gas leak. In such a scenario avoid turning on any switches and open all doors and windows in the house. Don’t smell the gas yourself. Head out of the house and call the local gas provider and plumbing and heating technicians.

Preventing Heat Loss Due to Air Leaks

Air leakage has traditionally been one of the biggest factors for loss of heat during winter. In other words, air leaks are responsible for cranking up the heating bills of many houses. As warm air escapes from your house, the gas furnace tries to replace it by pumping more warm air resulting in greater heating costs. You can save a lot on heating bills if you can fix the warm air, leaks, thereby preventing heat loss.

Preventing heat loss involves concentrating mainly on different areas in the house construction. In each case, there are some prevention steps which you need to look at more closely.

Preventing leaks from electrical outlets on the exterior walls:

• Remove the outlet cover after turning off the power.
• Install a foaming pad that offers insulation and then replace the outlet cover.

Preventing leaks in attic and basement:

• Seal all cracks and close the attic door tightly after adding a weather strip.
• Reduce the gaps required for ducts to enter the wall or ceiling, and insulate the ducts by wrapping them in duct tapes.
• Use an acoustic sealant or rubber caulking near the sill plate of the basement to prevent any leaks.

Preventing leaks around doors and windows:

This could be the most difficult thing to do as doors and windows close and open often for various reasons. However, there are certain steps to reduce the leaks as much as possible.

• Remove the trims and replace them with waterproof sealants or fillers on the edges.
• Fill the larger cracks with a foam backer or even polyurethane foam.

Preventing Baseboard leaks:

Baseboard leaks can be prevented using some caulking along the seams and also between the wall and the floor.

Find below an elementary outline of what tank water softeners are and how they work. We will discuss, in specific, the main principles of tank water softeners and what you can do in case there is a problem. When you have reached the end of the article, you should be fully aware of how the entire system works.

The fundamentals of Tank Water Softeners

Often, we take water in our house for granted. It is essential that we know that water isn’t in it’s purest form of H2O everywhere. Water also comprises of minerals that it picks up from the ground before flowing into the water supply. Calcium and Magnesium are the two major minerals that are responsible for many problems.

A higher mineral content will stunt the efficiency of soap, regardless of where it is used – the dishwasher, washing machine or in the shower. This makes cleaning a very difficult task. Not only does it reduce the efficiency of soaps but the soap also ends up leaving a residue behind. This causes irritation to the skin during laundry or while taking a shower.

The main function of a water softener tank is to remove calcium and magnesium content from the water. This is accomplished by running water via a salt water tank or one that is full of resin beads in salt water. The salt is attracted to resin beads, but so are calcium and magnesium and that too even more strongly. As the water runs from the source via the tank, sodium from the salt takes the place of magnesium and calcium

The tank must be cleaned regularly to get rid of the magnesium and calcium that has accumulated and also to replace the depleted sodium. This function is taken care of by various mechanisms like a digital system which regulates the salt and mineral ratios or a simple timer which operates regeneration at a given set time.

Troubleshooting your tank

The working of these tanks are simple, due to which a few simple tasks can fix a number of problems.

• First, check if the tank’s motor is running properly.
• If so, run a flush through the tank and check if the problem is solved.
• If the above two solutions don’t work and your machine is on lease, call and ask the company to send someone to have a look at your machine. They will fix it and your soft water should be running in no time.
• If the machine is yours, it probably needs to be repaired. You will need to find a good plumber who handles emergencies. It is wise to already have a contact or a good reputed plumber who is easily accessible for such emergency situations.

The working of a water softener tank is very simple. Now you are fully equipped with knowledge on how a tank water softener works and should have no problems keeping your tank in good condition.

It’s a silent, dark night and not a sound can be heard anywhere around. Just as you head into your bedroom, you hear that creepy sound of water dripping from somewhere, tip-tap and tip-tap. Hey, it’s not some paranormal activity we’re unfolding here! We’re simply trying to highlight that irritating, leaking kitchen faucet!

Learning to fix a leaking kitchen faucet will not only help you save some money on plumbing repairs, but will also get you through those long sleepless nights when the wait for the plumber to arrive next morning might seem like an eternity.

In order to replace a leaking kitchen faucet on your own, you’ll most importantly require a spare kitchen faucet set (always keep one or two handy for emergencies), a kitchen faucet replacement kit which will have all the essential parts in it, including the mounting hardware. So let’s learn how to fix a leaking kitchen faucet.

Now, let’s see exactly which all tools you need to replace a kitchen faucet. Items needed are an adjustable wrench, kitchen faucet replacement kit, plumbing putty, flat-head screwdriver and some old pieces of cloth. Once you have all these in place, follow the following steps:

Step 1: Turn off the faucet’s water supply. This can be done either by turning the valve under the kitchen sink to off or in case you can’t locate it, turning off the water supply to the whole house from the mains.

Step 2: Open up the faucet completely with the help of a wrench and allow the extra water to flow out. Wipe off any excess water and you’ll then have a dry surface to work on. Locate the screws which had kept the faucet intact and get hold of the screwdriver you’ll need to open it up.

Step 3: Loosen up the screw(s) without damaging the counter-top or the sink area. Place some old pieces of cloth around and on the faucet, so that they provide a cushioning effect and prevent any harm from the screwdriver.

Step 4: Remove the old faucet and clean up the area completely. Inspect the area well to locate any pipes that might need cleaning or proper fitting, or perhaps any repair required in water lines.

Step 5: Take out the new faucet from its package and read the instructions properly to perform any pre-installation assembly (if needed).

Step 6: Take some plumbing putty and smear around 0.25 inch of it around new faucet’s base. Now press the new faucet properly into the already existing holes and watch the plumbing putty work its magic as it seals it comprehensively.

Step 7: In case the new faucet requires the bolts or screw covers to be installed over the screws’ ends, you will need to slide under the kitchen sink and install them properly, along with the provided washers. Tighten up the bolts/screw covers and washers up till the base so that they hold the new faucet tightly.

Step 8: Strictly go by the instructions which came along with the new faucet for fitting the cold and hot water lines correctly (in case there are two separate connections for temperatures). Now, turn the water supply back to on and turn the handle completely till the end. It will help you ascertain if the flow and pressure is appropriate. If all seems ok, then congratulations! You have successfully learnt how to replace a leaking kitchen faucet.

If you feel uncertain or under-confident at any point of time, it will be in the best interest of your kitchen as well as your pocket to seek assistance of plumbing professionals. We are a professional and reputed plumbing company based in Calgary. Please feel free to call us at ClearView Plumbing & Heating any time for any plumbing related help. We can be reached anytime at 403 216-8439.

Most of the homeowners are not unaware of common plumbing problems. Although help from a professional plumber is always welcome, not opting to call a plumber for certain small issues is understandable. The plumbing systems in your home contribute a lot to the overall comfort provided by them. Small issues such as clogged drains and leaky faucets can snowball into major problems if not attended to in time. Following are some common tips to tackle common plumbing problems yourself.

Kitchen and Bathroom Sink Plumbing

As the pipes in bathrooms and kitchen are easily accessible and have ample space for work available, these are ideal places for your DIY plumbing initiatives. Taking care of small plumbing issues on your own can save you a lot of money sometimes.

A worn “o” ring, spring or washer which often results in leaks is not difficult to replace. The tools required to replace/repair these parts are commonly available in most households. In case you are a complete novice, check the brand name of the faulty part and take a picture of the handles and faucet to a home improvement center. This will ensure that you return home with correct parts that fit into your sink perfectly. Please do not forget to turn off the valves under the sink prior to removing any fixtures.

Water flow in the home’s plumbing system can get blocked in different ways. A blocked drain in kitchen or bathroom sink is often due to a clogged pipe. The pipe under the sink normally has an “elbow” to trap any debris or objects. It is also the most common point for clog formation. Your first step to remove such clogs should be with the help of chemical drain cleaners. In case they don’t help, it will be best to remove the elbow and clean it on your own. Do not forget to put a pan under underneath to prevent the water from spilling out on to the floor.

Any time that you feel little uncertain about any part or process, please do not proceed and put the plumbing system in danger. Call us at ClearView Plumbing & Heating immediately and we’ll get there and offer you with cost effective solutions!

Have you ever come across a wet spot on your ceiling, directly under your tub/ shower upstairs, which kept on getting worse by the day? And what was the next thing you did? Did you call a plumber to have it checked and repaired? Was the plumber sure that he diagnosed the cause of the problem correctly, before he explained to you what needed to be done and how much it would cost you?

You have no choice but to be extremely sure about the correct diagnosis before the huge ceiling is hammered and cut open, because majority of the plumbers/ technicians may not be able to get it right the first time. It is extremely critical that the source of the leak is correctly identified and rectified accordingly. You will not only lose a lot of money in unnecessary repair work but also be inconvenienced the next time with the same leaking problem.

What could be the possible causes of Plumbing Leak in ceiling?

• Faulty Faucet or tub spout
• Improper sealing of the trim plate
• Bad caulking in or around the tile of the tub/ shower upstairs

All the three causes mentioned above do not require the plumber to dig a hole in the ceiling to identify the source of the leak. What actually needs to be done in these cases is to get the shower/ tub area completely waterproofed, in turn avoiding recurrences of such plumbing leaks.

Once the waterproofing is taken care of, the section of the damaged ceiling will have to be repaired and it is best to call the water damage company professionals who will fix the water damage and bring back the original look of the ceiling, as the plumbers will merely fix the leaking problem for you.

How to ensure correct diagnosis of Plumbing Leak in ceiling?

The most efficient way to diagnose the source of a plumbing leak is to eliminate the possible causes one at a time. Below is a step-wise process that demonstrates the same:

The first step will be to ensure that there is no leakage or dripping or having running water anywhere in the house.

Typical water meter

The movement of this small dial will indicate trickling of water and hence, its usage. You can conduct a quick test for this by turning on and off one of the hose bibs and seeing the change in its movement – it will turn when the water is running and will stop when the water is turned off.

However, if you do not see the dial stopping when you turn off the hose bib, it is a case of “supply side” leak. To shortlist further where the leakage has arisen from, turn off the main water control valve of the house. If the dial still doesn’t stop, the leak could be outside the house; but if it does stop, then it is surely inside somewhere. Another step you can take to further shortlist the leak source is to turn off the cold water supply to the water heater. If the dial doesn’t stop, it could be a case of cold water side leakage, else on the hot water side.

Once your test identifies the source of the leakage, say if it is from the supply side, the best approach thereafter would be to work your way from bottom upwards. You will then be required to get on top of a ladder under the ceiling where you have the wet mark. Just create a small hole in the ceiling using a screwdriver, which will help drain out all the stagnant water and will let you see if there is any fresh leakage. Pay attention to any sound (dripping etc) that you may hear and it will simplify your task of identifying the plumbing defect.

The next step will involve putting a plug on the tub drain and pouring huge buckets of water into the tub till it is substantially filled up, simultaneously ensuring that the water does not splash anywhere else outside the tub. Wait for some time to see if the leakage is showing up on the ceiling. Assuming it still doesn’t, then there is no issue with the “strainer”. However, if it does, then there could be two possible reasons:

1. The strainer is loose, which can be resolved by retightening it.
2. The sealant or the putty is out, which can be repaired by applying fresh putty between the tub and the strainer.

Faucet is faulty, so will need a replacement.

Pipe connecting the faucet and the tub spout is defective and will need to be replaced with a new one instead.

Check around the shower handle if there is any damage to the wall and then turn on the shower. Do ensure that the water from the shower does not splash on the walls but goes directly to the tub. If you see a leakage on doing this, then the issue lies either with the pipe that connects the shower head and the faucet or with the shower arm. In most of the cases, the shower arm is more likely to be faulty and a quick replacement of the same will rectify the leakage problem.

Finally, spray some water using the shower handle over the doors, walls etc and try splashing it even on the shower handles, tiles, overflow cover etc and any other area which may be exposed to water while using the shower. Remember to try these steps one by one and wait for some time to see the results.

By now, the exact issue would have been known and the plumber will guide you on how it will be treated in the best possible manner at a reasonable cost.

However, it is worthwhile to mention that majority of these ceiling leaks caused by a plumbing defect in the upstairs tub/ shower can be treated by just caulking the tub and the tile, since the tiles are the main problem area. So you can easily do without removing the sheetrock from the ceiling and increasing the work and cost manifold. Happy Plumbing!