Preventing Bathroom Water Damage

The bathroom is one of the most prone rooms to water damage due to the high water usage in that room. The risk of water damage is so high because of all the appliances that require the use of running water. There are many opportunities for appliances to malfunction, such as in the toilet, sink, shower, and tub, pipes, and fittings can leak, as well as accidental overflows. Moreover, humidity is a huge culprit of water damage that is often overlooked.

Water Damage Cleanup – Pelham

When moisture is constantly present in your bathroom, mold is encouraged to grow, especially in hidden places such as under the tub or between the shower liner and wall. Mold is a huge problem, as it will lead to the wood rotting in the subfloor and walls. Softened walls and subfloors that go uncared for can become so unstable that they will give way. This is extremely dangerous and expensive, so it’s essential to prevent it wherever possible. 

Toilet

Water damage cleanup is most commonly needed for toilet overflows. As many know, toilets can quickly back up and overflow, leaving a flood of water behind for you to clean up. To avoid this mess, do your best not to overwork the toilet. Never flush anything that isn’t meant to be down the toilet, such as tampons, diapers, sanitary napkins, and other foreign objects. These clog the toilet and can even back up the entire plumbing system. If you have kids, be sure to teach them what does and doesn’t go down the toilet. 

Sometimes, there can be problems with the toilet outside of an immediate clog. Keep an eye on the water level inside the toilet, as that can indicate problems. A low water level can mean the fill tube is damaged or broken in some way, not allowing the toilet to fill all the way. In worse cases, the sewer line vent could be clogged, or the toilet bowl could be cracked. If the level is too high, this is an indicator that water cannot make it down, usually because of a clog somewhere. 

Any of these problems that are not taken care of can lead to water damage over time. 

Shower & Tub

Your shower and tub need to be regularly maintained to ensure that water damage does not occur, as it is another huge culprit. Grout and caulk are water-resistant materials used to ensure that moisture cannot make it through to subfloors and walls. Watch for cracks, chips, and other signs of deterioration. Even hairline cracks can allow moisture to sneak through. 

Shower curtains and doors are also there to prevent water from getting outside the tub. When they are damaged, water will leak through onto the floor. However, even if the door or liner properly seals water out, not cleaning up the water that drips from your body after getting out of the shower can also cause water damage. Even not drying excess water from the shower and tub can cause problems as well. Be sure that when using the shower or tub, the exhaust fans are always running to keep excess moisture out. 

General Plumbing

Pipes are prone to breaking down, leaking, and even bursting. Over time, they begin to rust and don’t hold up as well as they used to. Knowing this, periodical pipe inspections should be done. Check on any valves in the bathroom as well as faucet supply lines under the vanities to ensure they are working correctly and not leaking. Make sure none of the drains are clogged to prevent pipe bursting or water from coming back up. 

Unfortunately, you can do all the preventative measures to stop water damage from happening to your bathroom, but it can still sneak through. Sometimes, it is entirely unpreventable. Because of that, professionals at Restoration 1 of Birmingham are readily available to assist you with your water damage cleanup.