Most people like to spend their sweet time in the bathroom. Shower time in the bathtubs is relaxing, and you can take a moment to meditate and think about different ideas. However, a leaking bathtub can disrupt these moments.
Although identifying bathtub leaks is not very obvious, you can still see some signs. For example, the water level in the tub will always be low, the bathroom floor and walls will constantly be wet, or you could notice some gaps in the tub.
Leaking bathtubs can cause more damage than reducing the comfort of your bathroom. Failure to repair the water leaks lead to mold growth in the shower room, staining the walls and causing odors. So, hire a professional plumber at J. Blanton Plumbing to repair the leaks.
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Signs Your Bathtub Is Leaking
Unlike leaking sewer lines, a bathtub leak might not be too hard to notice, but some diagnoses require a professional plumber. These steps will help you know if the bathtub is leaking;
1. Check For Decreasing Water Level In The Tub
You filled your bathtub with water and got your shower gels, shampoos, a bottle of wine, and your portable speaker ready to enjoy your shower time. A few minutes after jumping into the bathtub, you realize the water level is reducing.
If you did not open the drainage in your bathtub, decreasing water levels in the tub is an excellent sign of a leak. The water leaves the tab through hard-to-see cracks and gaps and wets the floor or walls. Failure to treat the leak can lead to wall damage.
2. Look If The Bathroom Floor Is Wet
Some homeowners think having a constant wet bathroom is normal, but it should be a concern. Your bathroom should always be dry when you are not using it. Leaking water from the bathtub goes to the floor, creating small pools of water.
With time, the bathroom tiles will start rotting and curling at the edges due to prolonged water exposure. If your bathroom floor is constantly wet, hire a professional plumber to find the cause of the leak and repair it.
3. Wet Walls
Another sign of a leaking bathtub is wet walls. If the crack is near the wall, the leaking water will seep into the walls. With time, the paint on the walls will start peeling due to water damage.
Wet walls weaken with time, compromising your home’s structure. You could also notice yellow, brown, or black stains on the walls resulting from water damage. Although leaking ceilings also cause stains on the walls, call a professional plumber to determine the problem.
4. Check For Gaps In The Bathtub
Cracks and gaps in the bathtub could cause leaks. The bathtub cracks are caused by old age, hard hits by heavy objects, and using harsh chemicals to clean the tub. Sooner or later, you will notice wet floors and walls and decreasing water levels.
The gaps become more extensive with time, and they could cause more expensive-to-repair bathtub issues. Ensure you call a plumber as soon as you notice these cracks.
Causes Of Bathtub Leaks
Once you notice the signs of a leaking bathtub, the next step will be repairing it. However, you must first find the cause of the leak to deal with the problem. Some causes of bathtub leaks are;
1. The Supply
A significant cause of bathtub leaks is the supply. The supply is the pipe that connects the tub, toilet, and sinks to the main water supply. If you can see the tub’s supply tubes, check if they are wet.
You can also carry out a tissue test on the supply pipes to check if they are working correctly. Wrap tissue paper or a paper towel around the line and see if it gets wet. Some tubes get fixed in the wall, so you might be unable to reach them. If this is the case, call your plumber.
2. The Tub Spout
Leaking tubs around the tub spout area will cause the surrounding tiles to loosen and rot. You can check if the culprit of the tub leak is the tub spout by lifting the surrounding tile to check for dampness.
However, checking for dampness in the area surrounding the spout will require cutting and damaging tiles and walls, so you need a professional plumber to do it. They can repair the cause of the leak and return the tiles.
3. Cracks In The Bathtub
Bathtubs crack due to aging or washing them with harsh chemicals. These cracks are a common source of leakage. In addition, water seeps through the tub into the walls and tiles, causing dampness in the bathroom and mold growth.
These cracks can extend to other parts, and failure to repair them leads to complete bathtub damage. This will require you to buy a new bathtub which is expensive. Ensure you call a plumber and bathtub technician for repairs as soon as you notice the cracks.
Repairing Bathtub Leaks
Since some causes of bathtub leaks are hard to locate, it is advisable to hire a professional plumber for inspections. The plumber will check all the possible areas and make the necessary repairs.
If there are leaking supply pipes, the plumber can cut the wall and repair them. Too much damage on these pipes will require a replacement. An expert can also cut the tiles around the tub spout, look for the leaks and repair them.
If the tab has cracks, you will need heavy-duty sealant with waterproof powers to seal them. Before applying the adhesive, ensure the area is dry. Sand the repaired surface of the tab to flatten the sealant.
Final Words
Bathtub leaks can cause inconveniences in the shower, especially if you like taking your sweet time. Some signs your tub leaks are wet floors and walls, reduced water levels, and cracks. Although you won’t use your bathtub for a while to prevent more leaks, they are repairable. Ensure you hire a qualified plumber to repair the damages.