Bathroom spaces are designed mostly with great ease and expertise as per the taste and style of the people living in the house. But, like all things they too suffer wear and tear over time which should be repaired before it’s too late. Bathroom leaks can sometimes be extremely dangerous not just for the foundation of the house but also for people living in it.
In case you think that your bathroom might have a leak then it is best to call the renovator and let him start his job. He is an expert at the job and would know where to find the leak and stop it before it causes further damage.
SIGNS OF LEAKAGE
The leaks in the bathroom however small leave certain marks which shouldn’t be ignored. Some of the signs of bathroom leaks that would help you recognizing them are:
- MOLDS
Even though you clean your bathroom regularly look for colonies of molds as they are bound to develop around the areas of leak.
- SMELL
There is a pungent musty smell of accumulated water which is a marker for leaks since the hidden water does not dry up easily.
- WET WALLPAPERS
The adhesive that bonds the wall paper to the wall is washed away by the leak thus separating it out or it becomes loose.
- CEILING STAINS
The leaks could penetrate through the walls hence causing stains on the roofs of the lower floor.
- DECOLORED WALLS
Due to constant contact with water the paint on the walls starts chipping which falls because of breaking and warping.
- FLOORING DAMAGE
The bathroom floor rarely suffers damage until it has a stagnant water accumulation. Hence, in case one notices stains, buckling and breaking of the floor, then it is time to call the renovator or the plumber.
PROBABLE LEAK AREAS
Although most of the plumbing of the bathroom is done within the walls however there are some places you might want to check before digging inside foundation. These areas are the most probable places that might be leaking due to constant wear and tear by extensive use.
- SINK AND FAUCETS
They are the most common leak areas for leak as the faucets are one of the most extensively used fitting in the bathroom and might start leaking due to wear and tear.
- COMMODE AND FLUSH
The commode pipes and flush are also very prone to leaks due to assembly of various parts which loose elasticity over time causing a leak.
- TUBS
A crack in the tubs can sometimes go un-noticed and hence causes water accumulation. In this case it is time to ask the renovator to show you new samples of tubs and Jacuzzi’s.
- SHOWER
Showers are also one of the most common leaks in the bathroom as they are used regularly and as the time passes on the materials inside the shower corrode causing the leaks.
- WALLS AND ROOF
The leak on the walls or roof is a distinct marker of a broken pipe inside the walls. If you have such a leak it is time to call the renovator to rebuild and remodel the walls and fix the break inside by the help of a plumber.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE LEAKS
The damage caused by the leak could be extensive and hence, one should contact the renovator as soon as possible to avoid further deterioration of the bathroom space and the house. However, some of the worst damages caused by leaks are
- ACCIDENTS such as slipping or the ones caused by cracking walls and ceiling could be extremely dangerous. They are mostly caused by corrosion of the walls and ceiling due to constant water contact caused by the leak.
- ILLNESS due to breading of germs and bacteria in the stagnant water from the leaks.
- CORROSION of the foundation of the house such as ceiling, floor or the walls.