The bathroom is perhaps the most water-resistant place in your home. Still, it is the most exposed and most vulnerable to water damage.
Numerous pipes and water systems packed tightly in such a small space can cause huge damage, especially if they start to deteriorate and leak. Continue reading to know how to find signs of water damage, the causes of damage, and how to fix them.
What Are The Signs Of Water Damage From The Shower?
Outside of your bathroom, signs of water damage are easy to spot. However, leaks, puddles, and other signs are harder to find in a place where you expect water to be.
With that said, it would be best to look out for more subtle indications of water damage in the shower. These signs would include:
- Loosened or raised tiles
- Flaking or peeling paint
- Chalky or decaying wood
- Mold spots on the wall, floor, or ceiling
- Irremovable water stains on the ceiling or floor
What Are The Causes Of Shower Water Damages?
Leaking Pipes
Leaking pipes are one of the worst problems to have in the bathroom. These leaks are usually difficult to spot because bathroom pipes are hidden behind the walls.
You will often know you have leaking pipes once they cause enough damage. You will see discoloration come up out of nowhere before you can infer the cause.
The pipes being hidden create an even bigger problem since it creates excess moisture behind the walls. Once enough moisture builds up, you may have to deal with a mold problem growing out of sight.
Overflows
Overflowing sinks and toilets can inflict serious damage on your walls and flooring. The water may seep and gather into crevices.
Eventually, the water may build up behind and below the tiles, weakening the subfloor and any wood in their way.
Worse, overflows can travel out of your bathroom and into other areas of your home to damage property. With that said, it is always best to keep a close eye on any bubbling, cracking, or leaking.
Excess Moisture
Hot baths relax the body and relieve stress, but they also cause a lot of moisture build-up. The steam from hot showers will eventually condense on surfaces and may seep into deep areas within the tiles.
Cracked Grout
Grout used in between shower tiles is water-resistant. Despite this, the grout may crack over time or due to poor preparation and installation.
Luckily, you can easily observe if the grout between your tiles is damaged. It would be best to check that all corners are caulked and no cracks are forming on the surface. If you do find any cracks, it is best to fix them immediately before they cause any further damage.
How To Protect Your Home From Water Damage
As the adage goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” The same concept applies to preventing water damage in your home, too. Here is a list of the best practices to keep water from doing extensive damage to your home.
1. Prevent Leaks, Water, Spills, And Overflows
As much as possible, you should keep water in areas where it can drain properly such as the tub and sink. You can do this by filling the tub with the right amount of water or using a softer shower spray every time you bathe.
It would also be best to keep an eye for clogged drains, as they can allow water to accumulate and create unnecessary pressure on the pipes.
Usually, you can fix clogged drains by simply pouring acid over them.
You should also tighten down faucets and valves after use. When leaving for a long vacation, it would be best to shut off your water supply.
All of these practices prevent water from gathering where they do not belong. Allowing water to stay in puddles all over the floor not only allows it to seep into small holes, but also creates a slipping hazard.
2. Wipe Down Water Splashes And Excess Moisture
Sometimes, water will find its way onto the walls, ceilings, and floor. To keep them from doing damage, wipe down your mirrors, walls, and ceilings after a hot bath.
It would also be best to mop the floor if water splashed out of the shower or the tub.
3. Find And Repair Any Possible Or Existing Damage
The bathroom eventually deteriorates through regular use. Nevertheless, this does not mean that you should allow any damage to remain.
One of the best practices you can do is fix any loose and leaking pipes immediately. If you suspect a leaking pipe but cannot see it, you might need to call professionals.
It would also be best to be on the lookout for damaged tiles and grout. If your tiles are damaged, you can replace them and reapply grout by yourself.
These practices prevent extreme water damage and are cheaper than repairs. As such, it is best to do them regularly.
Water Damage Cleanup And Restoration
Most signs and causes of water damage can be fixed at home. However, if you are looking for a shower repair company in Perth, GIB Tiling can help you.
We provide quick and effective water damage repair and restoration for your showers and tiles. Our services are provided at reasonable and transparent prices.
We specialize in reliable yet affordable repair services. If you need a hand with difficult shower repairs, contact us today!
