Tips to prevent and repair basic bathroom leaks

Bathroom leaks can be quite dismal for both the person using the bathroom as well as the room located under the bathroom. Preventing bathroom leaks immediately on notice is the best way to avoid any major damage and problems. Here is a list of some of the basic troubleshooting ways to avoid a bathroom leak and mend it quickly in case of a leak.

Prevention is better than cure: Having regular checkups for various bathroom fixtures and plumbing sections can go a long way in preventing any leaks. Regular checkups can be conducted by a professional as well as a normal resident. Some sections of a bathroom are more prone to leaks than other. Regular check up pipe joints, drain traps etc can make sure that any small leakage is noticed at the initial stages and is repaired before it can cause any nuisance.

Locate the hidden leakage in bathroom: Before mending the leak, it is paramount to locate the exact location of the underlying source of leakage. Sometimes leakages can be hard to find or located in hidden section like under the commode. For tracing such leaks, professional help of a plumber is recommended. Other leaks like pipe or drain leaks can be located easily by adopting various periodic checks. Leaking does not always mean that the fixture or pipe needs repair. Leaks can sometimes happen due to a number of miscellaneous reasons including gap in the sealing between faucets and wall etc.

Replace Fixture Washer: More than half of the total bathroom leaks are caused due to fixture washer leakage. The chances of a water pipe leaking are usually the highest at its joints considering the pressure treatment for all such water pipes these days. The fixtures holding the joints can get loose washers owing to constant pressure of water. Replacing the washers of the fixtures can stop the underling leak. The downside is that one needs to be sure to replace the same washer for the fixture as using washer of any other size may not be a long term solution. If you are not sure of the washer size, one can remove the fixture and take it to the nearest hardware store to get the same size washer.

Replace the Sealant: Bath and shower faucets and fittings have a layer of a sealant between the fitting and the bathroom wall. The sealant can come off with time or due to constant repairing of the fittings. The weakening of the sealant layer can cause water to seep through between the fitting and the bathroom wall. Replacing the sealant is one of the best ways to stop such water leaks. Before applying the new sealant layer, make sure you take off the older sealant layer with the help of a blunt knife.

Clean and Dry the Area: Once the sealant is applied, it makes a lot of sense to pat dry the area. The dryness can be enhanced using a hair dryer. The dry air helps the sealant builds its adhesive base around the bathroom wall allowing it to fix is a better way. In case a hot air dryer is not available, make sure that the area stays clean and dry and devoid of moisture for the next few hours for effective joints.