Bathrooms are among the best spots in the house. That’s where you go to start your day, unwind in a relaxing bath, and prepare for a good night’s sleep. Many people love having a gorgeous, clean bathroom in their home. Yet, no matter how nice your bathroom is, you always need to be cautious and aware of potential water leaks. There are so many pipes powering your bathroom amenities, from the sink to the toilet to the bath. This is why you should keep these five signs of a hidden water leak in mind.
Loose Tiles
One of the dangers of hidden water leaks is that they can cause damage you can’t see, lurking under the surface. That’s why you should never take loose tiles lightly. If you step into your shower and notice tiles that move or are no longer in their secured place, you should call a professional plumber right away. Loose tiles and mold are definite indicators of tile leaks, which happen when water seeps through flawed grout or caulk and into the wall. If you catch this problem early enough, you can remove the old tiles, grout, and caulk, and reattach them with new materials. However, if the wall is damaged, you may require a new cement backer board.
Wet Cabinets
If you open up your cabinets and notice visible water stains or even drips or puddles of moisture, your bathroom may have a water supply line leak. This is something you’ll want to check out for sure. The packing nut may need to be tightened, but otherwise, the entire valve may need replacing. Your trusted local plumber can help you solve this issue and keep your cabinets dry in the future!
Unstable Toilet
When you sit down on the toilet, you expect it to stay still. If you notice your toilet is unstable or even moving, you may have a hidden water leak to deal with. An unsecure toilet points to a toilet flange leak, which occurs when the wax seal has been punctured or damaged. A plumber could help you fix this by replacing the wax ring and leveling the floor surface to minimize toilet rocking in the future.
Flimsy Faucet
Sometimes, you may notice a loose sink faucet. This could be a sign of a hidden leak from the sink rim that allows water to seep under the faucet base. Luckily, the solution is a relatively easy fix, as you can tighten the faucet base from underneath and then reapply caulking around the area. Plumbing companies can always help you sort out tasks like this.
Floor Damage
There’s a reason why people put shower mats or rugs next to their bath. This is meant to minimize water from escaping the shower or tub and hitting the floor. Yet, even with all this protection, it’s still possible for water to damage the bathroom floor. If you see loose tiles or curled vinyl flooring next to your bath, this could indicate a hidden water leak, called a splash leak. This happens when water makes it past shower doors and curtains and seeps into the floor. This is why it’s important to keep sliding doors and curtains closed properly when the water is on. Adding caulk around the frame could also help. If you have any questions or possible concerns about floor damage and hidden water leaks, be sure to get in touch with your local plumber.
