Most plumbing problems occur due to a fault in the plumbing fixtures such as in sinks, tubs, or even the toilets. Plumbing leaks are often difficult to detect and can cost you a lot of money if they damage the foundation of the house. Detecting a water leak early on is extremely important as it can save you a lot time, effort, and money to avert potential disasters.
1. Leaks Around the Shower Door
Leaks around the shower area are one of the most common types of plumbing problems. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, a leak in this area can cause serious damage to the foundation of the house if the water seeps into the subfloor. As a result, the tile or vinyl flooring in your bathroom can begin to loosen due to water damage. Additionally, the plywood subfloor can also rot and delaminate if water seeps too deep, which can be expensive to replace.
Some leaks are more visible than others, so you’ll want to check around the door and frame for signs of leakage. It’s also best to check the rubber door sweep or gasket for gaps, as well as the chalk where the tub or shower meets the flooring.
Some preventative things you can do to keep hidden plumbing problems from occurring is to make sure you replace worn door sweeps or gaskets with new ones every so often. You can also reseal the shower frame with some caulk, especially if you detect a small leak forming.
2. Water Seeping Through the Tile
Water can seep through the grout and into the surface beneath the tile, which can result in damage to the subfloor, ceiling, or joists. It can even cause the tile to fall off the wall! Yikes. You can detect this plumbing problem if you notice any loose tiles, stains on the ceiling, or rotting around the wall frame.
A professional handyman can detect this type of plumbing problem and resolve the issue by re-caulking or re-grouting.
3. Drain Leakage
Drain leaks occur commonly with fiberglass, plaster tubs, or shower pans. These materials flex slightly when pressure is applied, which can sometimes cause breakage in the seals over time. As a result, water can leak to the floor or the surface below, which are easily detected if you notice any water stains around these areas. Also, damp or loose flooring near the drain indicates a drain leak, potentially caused by a blockage.
Apart from the above, there are many other hidden plumbing problems such as toilet flange leaks, sink rim leaks, and water supply leaks that can be detected by a professional handyman. Consider having an experienced handyman inspect areas inside the house for leaks once a year. This will ensure that water leaks do not cause any serious damage to the house.