Two Common Bathroom Water Leaks And How To Prevent Them
Water leaks represent one of the most common causes of damage to bathrooms. Therefore, it is important to be especially vigilant about preventing sneaky leaks. If you would like to learn more about how to recognize the signs that your bathroom may be suffering from a leak, read on. This article will present two common places where such leaks tend to occur.
The Toilet Flange
The term toilet flange refers to an assemblage of components whose purpose is connect the toilet to the plumbing pipes located below it. As you can imagine, it is vital that this point of connection be water tight. This goal is accomplished by means of a special wax ring. This ring is pressed into place around the flange. Once the flange bolts have been tightened down, the wax seals off any small gaps, thus preventing the escape of water.
Unfortunately, wax rings have a tendency to break down over time. This problem usually manifests as water seeping out from around the base of the toilet. That said, a leaky toilet flange may also be indicated by bathroom flooring that has become loose or damaged in the vicinity of the toilet. Likewise, a toilet that has developed a tendency to rock from side to side is often one whose wax ring has begun to break down.
The solution to this problem involves installing a fresh wax ring. This process, which is best performed with the aid of a helper, involves unbolting and lifting away the toilet. This will reveal the old wax ring, which is pried up using a screwdriver. A replacement wax ring is then pressed into place and the toilet reinstalled.
Bath And Shower Tiles
While they add an undeniable measure of appeal, tiles around a bath or shower also represent a common source of bathroom leaks. This is especially true of tiles whose grout has become cracked or weakened, thus allowing water to seep past the tiles to the vulnerable wall behind. There it tends to cause mold growth, wood rot, and other forms of structural damage.
Because most of the damage takes place out of direct sight, tile leaks can be hard to diagnose. Any of the following, however, may indicate such a leak:
- loose tiles
- signs of mold or mildew along grout lines
- peeling paint in adjacent rooms
- stained ceilings in rooms below
When caught quickly enough, leaky tiles can be fixed by means of proper regrouting efforts. However, more severe cases often require the removal of the tiles so that the rotting or water-logged backer board can be replaced. Only then could new tiles be safely installed. Click for more info.