Home ownership can be full of emergency home repairs. Since you can’t always plan for what may come up, it’s important to be aware of signs of any underlying issues and how you can prevent an issue from growing into a larger, and more expensive project.
Shower leaks can be one of these unexpected issues. Do you know the signs to look for? How do you prevent a shower leak? How are shower leaks repaired? These are just some of the questions we are going to answer in this blog. Let’s get started!
How to Prevent a Shower Leak
To prevent shower leaks, it’s important to maintain your shower and its components regularly. Here are a few ways you can keep tabs of your shower to help prevent a leak from happening.
Maintain Caulking and Grout
Ensure that the caulk around your shower walls, bathtub, and joints are intact. If you notice cracks, mold, or peeling, remove the old caulk and reapply new, waterproof caulk. If the grout between tiles is cracked or deteriorated, replace it to ensure there are no gaps where water can leak. Check your crawl space for evidence of leaks. If you notice the smell of mold, chances are you have a leak in your shower that has gotten beneath the surface of the tile, setting materials and waterproofing.
Inspect the Shower Head and Faucets
To avoid leaks at the joints, you want to check that the showerheads and faucet handles are tightly screwed in. Over time, washers inside your faucet may wear out, causing drips. Replace them as needed to keep things sealed.
Inspect the Plumbing
If you notice any moisture or water stains around the pipes, it’s a sign that a pipe or connection might be leaking and needs the attention of a plumber.
By staying on top of these maintenance tasks, you can significantly reduce the risk of leaks and ensure your shower stays dry and functional!
Sometimes no matter how much you try to prevent it from happening, a shower leak can still occur because of poor waterproofing when the shower was built. So what should you do in the event you find your shower is leaking? If you have a shower leak, it’s important to address it quickly to prevent water damage, mold growth and leaks into the crawl space or ceilings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
- Identify the Source of the Leak:
- Check the showerhead, faucet handles, and any seals or caulking around the tub or shower walls.
- Turn Off the Water:
- To prevent further damage, turn off the water supply to the shower if necessary.
- Check the Drain:
- If the leak is coming from the floor or appears to be pooling at the bottom, it could be a drain issue.
- Inspect the drain for any loose connections or clogs that might be causing water to leak out.
- Examine the Shower Pan or Tub:
- If you have a shower pan or tub, check for cracks or damage that could be letting water leak out beneath.
- In some cases, you may need to replace the shower pan or tub.
- Call a Professional:
- If you’re unable to locate or fix the leak yourself, or if the problem is more serious (like a plumbing issue inside the walls), it’s best to call a professional to fix the problem.
- If you’re unable to locate or fix the leak yourself, or if the problem is more serious (like a plumbing issue inside the walls), it’s best to call a professional to fix the problem.
If your shower leak caused any damage, it’s important you contact your homeowner’s insurance company to make a claim. Dealing with an insurance claim can be time consuming, confusing, and sometimes frustrating. That’s why the team at Triad Flooring and Bath are here to help guide you through the process. We work directly with the insurance company if necessary, and explain your rights as a policy holder to ensure you receive what you are entitled to.
Triad Flooring and Bath is your one stop shop in the case of a shower leak, dishwasher leak or any other water damage in your home. Not only do we have plumbers, but we have a full staff of electricians, demolition crews, tiling crews and specialists in waterproofing so this problem doesn’t happen again in the future. We will help you along this process from start to finish!
