A bathtub leak is more than just an inconvenience. Whether you’re faced with puddles of water on the floor or dripping sounds that just won’t quit, a leaky bathtub creates a problem for your Northborough, MA home.
Leaks from your bathtub demand prompt attention. If you aren’t sure where to begin, this quick read will fill you in on all you need to know to track down pesky bathtub leaks and put a stop to them!
Yes, They’re A Big Deal!
Even if the dripping sounds don’t seem like a big deal or the puddles aren’t that bad, it’s important to take care of leaks right away.
Depending upon the location of the leak, water may be dripping into your walls and flooring undetected. Over time, this can lead to mold, which can make you sick. Mold is especially problematic for allergy sufferers!
Moisture in your walls and flooring can also lead to costly damage to your bathroom by infiltrating the areas you can’t see under your tub, between the shower liner and the wall, and on the subflooring. Over time, the moisture leads to wood rot, which causes the affected area to soften and eventually break down.
If your tub is leaking, early repair is the best way to keep the problem from turning into a major headache!
How To Detect A Bathtub Leak
When it comes to a leaking bathtub, you’ll need to get to the source. If you aren’t sure where the leak is coming from, check these key places first.
Check The Grout
Start by making sure the area around your bathtub is dry, so you don’t confuse old water with new leakage. Place newspaper around the tub before plugging the drain and filling the tub with water.
As the tub fills, keep an eye on the newspaper. If the paper gets wet, make note of where. If the newspaper stays completely dry during this experiment, then it’s not the grout. You may need to call in a plumber to inspect a little further to find the source.
Watch For Dripping
Watch the showerhead and the tub spout to see if you can spot water dripping from them. A good indication is the presence of water in the tub when no one has bathed for several hours.
Water dripping into the tub isn’t a big deal, but it’s the potential leakage you can’t see that’s the problem.
A leak could be originating behind the wall where you can’t see it. It could be a simple pipe leak, but it may also be the supply, which provides water for the tub. If that’s the case, you’ll need a professional to fix it before it causes extensive damage.
Check The Drain
Have you been noticing water around the drain in your tub when the area should be dry? You may have a leaky drain.
When your drain starts leaking, water will seep around the outside of the drain (where it connects to the tub).
You can test this by climbing into the tub and checking to see how firm the area is. If there’s give, there may be some damage underneath.
Another easy way to check is to plug the drain and fill the tub with water. Leave it for at least an hour. If the water level goes down, you’ve got a leaky drain on your hands.
What You Can Do About Bathtub Leaks
In the event that grout is the issue, a simple application of caulk may be enough to solve the problem, but if the leak is coming from anywhere else, it’s best to seek the help of a professional plumber.
In some cases, a leaky pipe doesn’t happen on its own. If one pipe is leaking, it may mean that other pipes are leaking too, as the plumbing lines in your bathroom are likely to be about the same age.
Plumbers Near Northborough, MA
If you’re dealing with a bathtub leak in your Northborough, MA, home, don’t wait. The plumbing experts at Sharp Plumbing & Heating are standing by! We offer a wide range of plumbing services for our Northborough, Milford, and Natick neighbors. From repairing bathtub leaks to heater installations and emergency repair services, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today by phone or online!
