It actually happened! You walked downstairs right into a puddle of water directly below your bathroom. This is an all-too-common problem for most homeowners that deal with water damage.
From our water damage restoration pros at Proven Professional Construction Service, here is what you need to know about the causes of bathtub leaks, types of bathtub leaks, and strategies for repairing bathtub leaks.
First things first – you need to know where the leak is coming from so you can put a stop to it as soon as possible. The longer the leak goes unchecked, the more damage you will have to deal with. Until you identify the source of the leak, you should avoid using your bathtub as much as possible. The leaking could be causing more damage than you can see if it is seeping into the floor or the walls.
Over time, the drain and attached lines beneath your tub will weaken and wear out. When this happens, water can gradually leak through and cause damage to build up over time. This will result in water damage in the area beneath the tub which can be particularly different to clean up.
Every tub is equipped with an overflow drain to preemptively stop a tub from overflowing into your bathroom. Unfortunately, as tubs age, this overflow drain may crack, break, or leak. Most likely it is the drain gasket. Like a drain leak, a bathtub overflow drain that is leaking may cause damage to your home.
Tiny hairline cracks can develop in your bathtub. These cracks can be so small that you may not notice them but they are still large enough for water to leak through. A simple way to test for this is to fill your bathtub with water and look for tiny currents near the edge of your tub. Just like you can see a current when water goes into the tub drain, you will be able to see a similar current if there is a crack in your tub.
Broken drains should be handled by a plumbing professional Repairing the broken drain may require replacing certain plumbing components or creating a new waterproof seal.
Larger cracks or small hairline fractures can be repaired fairly easily with a two-party epoxy to seal the area. Still, this job is best handled by a plumbing professional to make sure the issue does not develop into a recurring problem.
Don’t let a leaky bathtub wreak havoc in your home! Even a small amount of leaking over time can lead to a major water damage mess. Give us a call at Proven Professional Construction Service today if you are dealing with the effects of a leaky bathtub so we can help you repair the damage and put it in the past.
