So you find yourself sitting in the kitchen one morning drinking a cup of coffee, then you look up, only to notice a brownish wet spot on the kitchen ceiling. The first thing you do is try and guess what is above that area. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer (DIY), you can cut the infected area out and stick a flashlight up in the general direction and get an idea of where the water is coming from. Yep, you guessed it, it’s coming from the upstairs bathroom right where my bathtub sits. Leaking bathtubs is not all that unusual, especially in older homes. While you may not think a bathtub does not need maintenance–––it does. The bathroom is the one area of the house filled with plumbing fixtures, faucets, and piping, so it’s not surprising that some of the worst leaks come from the bathroom.
Recognizing These Notable Signs Sooner Rather Than Later
Unfortunately, you cannot spot most bathtub leaks until it’s too late and the damage has been done. Bathroom leaks come in all shapes and sizes; you may have something as small as a dripping tub spout or something as large as a copper pipe with a pinhole leak. For a pinhole leak, you may experience curling vinyl flooring, loose tiles, water stains on your ceiling or walls. Recognizing these notable signs sooner rather than later might save your bathroom and home from more significant damage. A licensed plumbing contractor should only repair major leaks caused by a broken or burst pipe.
How To Determine If My Bathtub Is Leaking
Locating a leak isn’t always as easy as it seems because, in some instances, water will travel along the outside of a pipe before for several feet before it decides to drip. If you’re noticing signs of moisture around your bathtub and you want to confirm whether your bathtub is leaking or not, there are a couple of ways a homeowner can test for one. First, wipe the outside of your bathtub until it is thoroughly dry, then lay out the newspaper on the premier of the tub and fill it with water. Observe while the water is filling in the tub if the newspaper is getting wet.
If you think water may be seeping from the drain, then fill the tub with water. If you see bubbling, see water decreasing or hear the sounds of water seeping out, then you have a leaking tub caused by a faulty seal around the drain assembly.
Fix Your Grout And Calking
Even though bathtub leaks can be severe, they are often straightforward to remedy even if you have a little DIY experience and the right tools. In some cases, the problem is as small as missing grout from a tile or missing caulking from around the tub. Left without repair, small amounts of water make their way into the area, causing damage to your wall and the floor underneath. Additionally, it becomes the perfect climate for mold to grow. While some missing caulking or grout may seem harmless, it’s important to close any gaps in your tile or grout before you encounter extensive damage.
A Faulty Seat Washer Usually Causes a Leaky Tub Spout
Then, we put off those minor leaks, such as a leak from a tub spout. In most cases, a leaky tub spout is usually a faulty seat washer in the compression valve. Over time, this part can chip, harden, and deteriorate. If you have a washerless faucet, then the chances are you’ll need to replace the faucet cartridge.
A+ Rated With The BBB
The bathroom plumbing specialists at Big B’s Plumbing is ready to solve all your bathtub issues. We’ll do everything from installing a new bathtub to making all the necessary repairs. We’re an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. We also pride ourselves on our hundreds of top-notch reviews across Facebook, Google Business, and Yelp! When you need expert plumbing services with good value, trust the experts at Big B’s Plumbing.
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