Is Your Shower Leaking?
6/10/2019 (Permalink)
Is your shower showing signs of age, or are you moving into a home with a dated bathroom in Raytown, MO? It’s okay to be suspicious of bigger problems such as a bathtub leak. You should make it a priority to inspect for any leaks before water damage or mold moves into your bathroom.
Eliminate All Other Possibilities
First you need to figure out whether the leak is coming from your shower or another water source. If you have observed water on the floor, try to clean up as much of the water as you can so that you can follow the water as it builds again. Try flushing the toilet to see if anything happens underneath it. Run the water and check below the sink. Some possibilities in your bathroom other than a shower or bathtub leak may include:
- Loose bolts beneath your toilet
- Damaged wax gasket in your toilet
- Damaged supply line
- Leaky faucet
Look For Water Damage
Without taking apart your shower, the easiest way to determine a bathroom leak is to look for water damage below your shower. If you go to the floor below your bathroom, do you notice any spots on the ceiling? You can also look for water damage on your baseboards in your bathroom or adjacent rooms. If you see mold, this may indicate you have had a shower or bathtub leak for a while.
Fix the Problem
If you have discovered water damage near your shower, the most likely culprit is a shower pan leak. You will want to call a professional water damage service to inspect it, as the pan is difficult to access. Specialists follow a specific test procedure and can replace your pan for you if needed. Shower pans older than 30 years tend to wear out or may have been cracked during installation.
A shower pan leak can be sneaky, but if you know what you look for, you can sort out the problem before more costly damage takes hold. If you notice water damage in or around your bathroom, get it checked out.