How To Find and Repair a Leaking Bathtub

A bathtub leak is more than a simple bother for the homeowner. It invites severe other plumbing issues resulting in expensive repairs or replacements. However, finding the leak as early as possible defines the extent of the damage. This way, you can solve the problem with a few DIY methods. In this article, we will try to guide you on how to detect a bathtub leak and how you can repair it.

How To Detect Leaks?

First, make sure everything surrounding your bathtub is dry. Otherwise, you can confuse the water from the last shower with the actual leak. Afterward, put newspapers in a way that surrounds the tub. That’s when you can start filling the tub. Watch the newspapers closely while the tub is filling. If it is getting wet, the source of the leak is the grout; if not, let’s skip to the next possibility. The next one is the drain, and there are two ways to check the drain. The first one is through plugging the drain and filling the bathtub. Now, listen closely; if you hear any sounds like water dripping, this indicates a problem with the drain. The second option is again to fill the bathtub and wait to see if the water level on the tub decreases after a couple of hours. If it is, there’s a problem with the drain sealing. The next culprit may be the showerhead. If you occasionally find water in your tub, even though it wasn’t used before, this may indicate a leak with the showerhead.

Dangers of Water Damage

Water damage isn’t as innocent as it sounds. It puts the entire foundation of your house in danger and creates a dangerous environment for the health of you and your family members. If there’s constant moisture and humidity in your home caused by water, this makes the perfect environment for mold growth. Mold and mildew inside your house will cause health problems like coughing, constant headache, increased allergies, asthma, and even problems with concentration.

How Can You Fix the Problem?

If you need leak repair for your bathtub, here’s what you can do to try to fix it.

First, turn off the water source. Otherwise, there will be water everywhere during the process. Afterward, take off the cap of the faucet and the handle. Next, you will see a protective plate that hides the hole where the water pipes pass through; this is called the "escutcheon," and you need to remove it. After removing the escutcheon, you will see the stem assembly, and this is where you need to take it off and check the washer. If the washer is worn out, it should be replaced. If not, put everything back because the problem roots in something else, and you will probably need a professional to fix it.

You Are at The Right Address

Luckily, qualified plumbers of Neighborhood Plumbing are ready to help you with any leak-related problems in your bathtub and all around your house. If you feel like you aren’t experienced enough to take care of the repair by yourself or just don’t have the time for it, all you must do is call our professionals so we can take care of your leak repair. Contact us today to learn more!