How to find/repair leak in new (11-12) diy tile shower

[DIY Walker]

We installed a tile shower that we have been using since November 2012. Unfortunately, it is leaking into the basement. We noticed this in the middle of December. We have narrowed down the leak to the area near the curb. We are thinking of tearing up the tile in that area to see if water is pooling there. Should this be our next step? We are struggling with how that much water can be collecting uphill from the drain. We aren't sure how the water is getting around the membrane. Is our best bet to tear out the whole pan and begin again? We are heartbroken because our shower is so beautiful. Can anyone help us to know what to do at this point. The water is flowing into the electricity in the basement. Not good! Also we only have one bathroom at this point. Our second bathroom is not finished. So whatever we do we need to do it quickly.

[cx]

Welcome, MB.

Without knowing how your shower was constructed, it's really not possible for us to even guess responsibly about the cause of your leak.

But in general, there is no "repairing" a leaking shower pan. Replacement is usually the only realistic option.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[jadnashua]

There are lots of common errors when building a shower. Nailing the liner below about 3" above the curb, nailing into the curb on the top or inside, failing to get a good seam or failing to use the corners. Incorrect torqueing the clamping ring on the liner at the drain, and many others including sloping the top of the curb outside, verses towards the inside. All it takes is one error to mess things up.

[Davy]

If you know you're gonna have to replace the sheetrock on the downstairs ceiling, sometimes cutting a hole now will help you see up in there, narrowing down where it may be leaking. Make sure it's the pan and not a plumbing leak in the wall. I would plug the drain and fill the shower from another water source other than the shower head and see if it still leaks.