Bathroom Water Damage Prevention Tips

Below are some easy tips to follow to help prevent water damage from occurring in your bathroom.

Toilets. This is a very vulnerable water junction. Check water lines and search for leaks around the toilet seat, in the hose and under the water tank. If you detect any signs of moisture on the floor or around the toilet, check for leaks in the toilet rim and tank seals. Be aware that hanging toilet bowl deodorants increase the chances for clogs.

Sinks & Cabinets. These are exposed to moisture and humidity daily and are often overlooked by homeowners. You should inspect these regularly under the sink and on the countertop above it. Make sure to repair any drip in the trap as it may suggest drain problems. Look around the sink, a slow draining pipe may indicate a blocked drain. Replace sink seals if they are cracked or loose.

Bathtubs & Showers. These require special attention and maintenance. Check the tiles and replace them if they are cracked. Also make sure that there is no missing grout between the tiles. Inspect and replace cracked caulking at joints where the walls meet the floor or the bathtub. Clogged drains and pipe problems will prevent the bathtub from drying and may indicate a serious problem beneath the bathtub. Call a professional plumber immediately to prevent structural damage. Pay special attention to soft areas or discoloration around the bathtub walls as they may indicate an internal leak.

Plumbing. Oftentimes water damage is hard to detect because most pipes are installed inside the walls. Pay special attention to flooring and moisture or stains on the walls as they may indicate an invisible plumbing problem. Also check the moisture levels in adjoining rooms as well.

Preventative Maintenance. An excellent way to prevent water damage is to have a plumber come out and inspect all of your plumbing. They will check your toilets, tighten all of the pipes under the sink, and check for any potential problems that might lead to water damage.