Depending on which floor this shower is located you might see water or water marks on a ceiling or when you look in the basement or crawl space.
Shower leaking to floor below.
If it gives this may be the problem.
Another way to tell is to examine the drain from underneath which can be accomplished in the crawlspace or the basement.
Below the shower pan if the pan is on an upper floor.
If it happens that your shower or bathtub is located above your garage you can cut costs by having the plumber cut the ceiling under those pipes and replacing it with a removable door.
How to fix a leak from the upstairs bathroom.
The best way to tell if this is your problem is to push down on the floor around the drain.
Leaking drainpipes in a shower or a bathroom plug will let water underneath tile.
If you have a second story bathroom the problem could be in.
Let s check for the next possibility.
The area around the shower pan for dampness and water.
If you use a curtain look for standing water on the floor after you shower.
If you see a leak at this point there likely is a problem with the shower base.
Stop up the drain and fill the pan with water and let it sit.
Loose floor tiles close to the shower.
A damp spot or worse a continuous drip from the ceiling overhead signals trouble.
The ceiling board or floor may show some stains.
If no water drips out below check closely with a bright light it may not be your shower pan leaking.
Soggy carpets around the shower stall.
Besides this method you can make observations around your shower pan for leaks.
Water leaks from a plumbing fixture or pipes may go unnoticed for days or even weeks until you notice a wet spot or water stain on the ceiling below.
The areas to check include.
Water stains on the ceiling or joists below.
This cuts the cost of having to dig through the floor to get to the water pipes and if for any.
If you have a shower door splash water all around the door and frame.
The idea is to use the process of elimination and keep looking for any evidence of a leak each step of the way.
Failure to do so puts more moisture behind the wall or under the floor which can cause mold rot in the wood structure or crumbling drywall.
If your tile shower is leaking the cause of the leak must be found and addressed as soon as possible and definitely before you take a shower again.
Once you see that the water is coming through the ceiling take immediate action before the leak causes any more damage to your house.
How to find the source of a bathtub drain leaking.
Mold spots on the wall or floor near the tub or shower.