Small Water Leaks in Bathroom that Could Result in Lots of Damage

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

Small Water Leaks in Bathroom that Could Result in Lots of Damage

What You Don’t See Will Probably Hurt Your Home

If there is one room/s in your home that has the highest risk of causing water damage to your home, it is your bathroom/s. Even a simple half bathroom with a sink and toilet have the potential of causing water damage. Add a bathtub or shower or both to a bathroom and you have a lot of sources that could leak water resulting in extensive water damage. The worst part of water damage in your bathroom is that many times the initial water leak and the damage is hidden behind walls and under floors where the water leaks won’t be discovered until it’s much worse. While there is little you can do with hidden leaks, there are signs to look for and other areas to check for leaks that may help you uncover the hidden leaks before the water damage has escalated. Below we will cover the major culprits of water leaks in a bathroom and where and how to check for leaks.

Toilet Leaks

There are a few areas around a toilet that can leak. The water leaking can be grey water from the tank or even more harmful black water from around the toilet flange where the toilet base connects to the waste pipe. To check for leaks around the tank, take a flashlight and look for any water or condensation around the water supply connections and the flush valve. The water supply hose usually connects to the water supply valve and the tank connection. Use your hand to check for any water or moisture around these two areas. If there is leaking, you can usually stop it by tightening the connections. You may have to turn off the water supply and reseat the connections with plumbers tape if the leaking doesn’t stop.  

The second source and prone to cause the most water damage is a leak around the toilet flange. The toilet flange is where the toilet base connects to the waste pipe in the floor of the bathroom. To seal the connection between the toilet flange and waste pipe, there is usually a wax ring that seals the connection. This wax ring can become damaged during the installation or break down over time allowing water to seep out after every flush. The problem with this type of leak is that you might not see it until it’s caused substantial damage due to the fact that the flange and waste pipe are hidden behind the porcelain base of the toilet. If the area between the floor and the base of the toilet is not sealed with caulk, you may notice water seeping out which is a sign that there is a leak around the flange and wax ring. If your toilet is located on an upper floor, you may find water stains on the wall and ceiling of the lower floor below the toilet. If you do find any signs of water leaks or damage, it’s important to stop using that toilet immediately and call a water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Indianapolis West. 

Leaking Sink Hoses and Pipes

Just like the toilet, water can leak from the water source and the drain. To check the water supply hoses, you will either have to look inside the cabinet below the sink or behind the pedestal, if it’s a pedestal sink. Unlike the toilet, there will usually be two water supply hoses - a hot water supply and a cold water supply. You can use your hand to feel for any water or moisture around the hose connections. You also want to check the valve for any leaks around it. If there is some water, you can use pliers to tighten the connection. You may also need to remove the hose and reseat the threads with plumbers tape to make a watertight connection. 

The other area where you will typically find water leaks is around the drain pipe underneath the sink. Pipes can leak over time as a result of getting bumped or damaged. They can also start leaking as a result of a slow or clogged drain due to the fact that the water backs up inside the drain and finds the easiest way out which can be a small leak around one of the drain pipe connections. With a fast flowing open drain, you may not have known there was a loose connection because the water flowed freely down the drain. The other area where you may find a leak is between the sink drain and the drain pipe connection. These leaks can usually be fixed by clearing out the drain so water doesn’t back up and tightening the connections between the drain pipes.  

Shower and Tub Leaks

WIth showers and tubs, you are dealing with a lot more water than sinks and toilets. With all that water, you’re also facing a lot more potential areas where water can leak and cause damage. We’ll start with the bath/shower faucet handles. The faucet handles usually connect to a cartridge valve that can adjust the amount of hot or cold water that flows through the tub faucet or shower head. If these cartridges aren’t tightened completely or loosen over time, they can start to leak behind the shower/tub wall. Signs that this is happening can be water stains on the drywall nearby or a shower/tub wall that feels soft or has some give to it. 

The other way water can leak and cause damage behind the shower or tub wall is through cracks in the tile grout. You also want to check the caulking between the shower/tub wall and the base. Another area is water can seep around the faucet handles if they haven’t been caulked and sealed properly.

The other area where water can leak and cause a lot of hidden damage is leaks around the drain of the shower/tub. You may find water seeping out from under the edges of the tub or shower but most times, you don't know water is leaking until the floor becomes so damaged that it collapses or sinks underneath the bath/tub.

The last area to check for and one that can easily be fixed is leaking around the bottom of the shower/tub door. After taking a shower, you can quickly check to see if the water is making its way through the space between the door and base and onto the bathroom floor. If you find leaks around the base of the shower door, you can quickly caulk and seal the area. Over time, water seeping out onto the bathroom floor can cause damage to the floor and promote mold and mildew growth.

Check Your Bathrooms For Leaks and Water Damage 

It’s always a good idea to check for leaks and water damage on a monthly basis especially for bathrooms that are used a lot. It doesn’t take long for a little water to cause big problems in a bathroom. If you do discover extensive water damage or mold problems, contact the water damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Indianapolis West. They have the equipment and expertise to handle all levels of water and mold damage to your bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, basement or any other room in your home.