Have you ever had a water leak in your bathroom and can’t figure out where it’s coming from? Water leaks raise your monthly water bill and cause damage in your home. The common areas for bathroom leaks are near the bathtub, shower, drains, sinks, and toilet. If you are unsure where your bathroom leak is, here are some simple steps to help.

Splash Leak:

Splash leaks are water leaving past a shower curtain or shower door. Though it may sound minor, leaks can cause extensive damage when it seeps into the subfloor (where flooring meets the tub/shower).

Signs

• Curling vinyl flooring or loose tiles near the tub.
• Peeling paint or flaking, chalky-looking wood finish near the shower.
• Water stains on the ceiling or joists below.
• Mold spots on the wall or floor near the tub or shower.
• If you have a curtain, look for standing water on the floor.

Finding the Source

• If you have a shower door, splash water around the door frame. Leaks around the frame may take a little longer to show up.
• If the door has rubber gaskets or a rubber door sweep, check them for gaps.
• Check for any gaps in the caulk where the shower or tub meets the flooring.

How to Fix

• Be sure to overlap sliding doors correctly when you close them. The inner door should be closest to the faucet.
• If you have a shower curtain rather than a door, make sure you close it completely when you shower or add a splash guard.
• Seal a Leaking frame by running a small bead of caulk around the inside of the frame. Force the caulk into any gaps between the frame and the shower surround. Quickly wipe away all the excess caulk. When the caulk dries, test for leaks again.
• Replace any worn gaskets or door sweeps. Bring the old one to a home center or plumbing supply store and look for a matching replacement.
• If the old caulk along the floor shows gaps, scrape it out and run a new bead.

If you ever need help with locating a leak, let the service professionals at All Good Plumbers assist you.