At the first sign of a plumbing leak, it is critical to make repairs. Even a small leak can cause a lot of damage. You may even want to regularly check all of your plumbing connections and fixtures for signs of leaks. If you can repair the leak yourself, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. These tips will help you to make repairs without getting frustrated.
Shower Doors
The shower door may allow water to escape under it. This is the most common type of bathroom leak. It may cause major damage if the water seeps into the subfloor at the junction of the floor and shower. The best way to prevent this leak is to ensure that the shower door or shower curtain is fully shut. For showers with curtains, have the plumbers install a splash guard. Once a leak is noted, fix it by placing a small bead of caulk around the inside of the frame. Push the caulk into gaps between the shower surround and frame. After the caulk cures, check for leaks again.
Bathtubs
Bathtubs can also develop leaks. The tub’s drain could leak, which is evidenced by a water stain on the ceiling below. It is caused by the tub flexing when you sit or stand in it. Your weight puts pressure on the seal, which can break over time. A bathtub drain leak is fixed by unscrewing the drain flange, removing the gasket and replacing the whole setup. Bathtubs can also develop a tile leak. It happens when water drips between the caulk of the tub’s tiles or enclosure and the wall. To fix this, remove peeling caulk and replace it. If more damage has occurred, the tiles or surround and rotted backer board need to be removed and replaced.
Toilet Flanges
Toilet flanges are another common leak. They leave stains on ceilings below the toilet and may rot the floor. Another common sign of a toilet flange problem is rocking of the toilet when you sit on it. This can lead to rotting of the flooring and sub flooring. In the worst case, the toilet could fall through the floor. To replace a leaky toilet flange, you will need to remove the toilet. Check for signs of damage to the flange, such as cracking. If the flange is too short or uneven, replace it. You may wish to use floor shims if the subfloor is uneven. Install a new wax ring when you return the toilet to its correct position on the flange.
Sink Rims
A sink rim leak allows water to drip out of the base of the faucet and through the wood that supports the counter tops and cabinets in the bathroom or kitchen. Some symptoms of this problem include water under the cabinet, a loose piece of trim around the perimeter of the sink or a loose faucet base. To fix this issue, access the faucet base from the underside of the cabinet. Tighten up the nuts that hold the faucet base in position. Tighten the clips that keep the sink rim in place. Remove the old caulk and apply a new layer of caulk around the rim of the sink.
It is a good idea to keep basic Heber City plumbing tools in your home. You should also know how to shut off the water supply to a fixture and to the entire house. If you start a repair and discover that the damage is more extensive than you originally thought, it may be a wise choice to contact an experienced plumber who is able to complete the work according to your community’s municipal plumbing codes.
