How to Find Hidden Leaks in Your Bathroom Before It’s Too Late

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

The first sign of a hidden leak is usually mold and mildew on the outside of a wall

Common Causes of Bathroom Leaks

Nothing is more annoying than the sound of dripping water at night. It can keep you up, but it will also let you know there’s a breach somewhere. A bathtub leak can happen in the muffled darkness of the floor, and you’ll never know until it’s too late. As it turns out, these quiet drips can cause extensive water damage with time, especially in vinyl-covered wooden floors.
Common causes of bathroom leaks in Madeira, OH include:

• Grout deterioration
  
• Broken faucet
  
• Damaged drain
  
  

Mild Dew or Mold

The first sign of a hidden leak is usually mold and mildew on the outside of the tub. While it might not be a sure sign of a spill, it does indicate that something is off. To be sure, dry any water that might be on the outside surface of the tub, then stick newspapers on it. Fill the washbasin with water and check for any wet patches. That should point you straight to the bathtub leak if there’s one.

Damaged Walls or Ceiling

Everyone splashes water on the bathroom floor now and then, and that should not be a problem. These decks are built to take occasional water exposure. However, if you see a “coffee patch” or crack on the ceiling below the washroom, there’s an issue. You are probably dealing with a shower pan leak or broken drain line.

Earthy Smell

Mold has a distinctive earthy smell that could cause health complications in children, elderly individuals and people with respiratory afflictions. It is a clear indication of hidden leaks in the house, which happen to be notoriously hard to track down. Water can drip at one point and move to damage another part of the house, leading to a misdiagnosis.
With these tips in mind, there’s no way a bathtub leak can catch you by surprise. The general idea is to be suspicious of anything that looks off, regardless of how insignificant it may seem.