Signs of a hidden bathroom leak
“How severe the damage goes, depends on how long you let the water leakage persist.”
There are some obvious warning signs of bathroom leakage that you can look out for:
· Cracked or loose tiles
· Missing tile grout or sealant
· Gaps between wall and floor joints
However, in many cases, you don't notice the leakage until it causes significant damage to your property. Unfortunately, how severe the damage goes, depends on how long you let the problem persist.
Here are some telltale signs which can tell you: there seems to be a hidden leak in your bathroom:
Sign #1: Musty smell
Have you noticed an earthy or musty smell in your bathroom recently, even after cleaning it well? … Wait! Please don't ignore it; it can be a sign of a leak. Try looking into faucets, walls, floors, or cabinets.
Sign #2: Mildew or Mold
Show leaks are one of the causes to mold and mildew growth.
But it is only sometimes found in places you can easily reach as mold grows in damp or moist conditions. So, don't expect to see it in tile grout or wall joints. It would help to look into areas such as carpet, drywall, or wallpaper.
Remember that it is normal for a bit of mildew to occur where water accumulates, such as in a shower corner. However, mold or mildew on non-shower walls or in corners of the bathroom is a sign that water is leaking somewhere and finding its way to those areas.
Sign #3: Damp carpet spots
If you have carpet surrounding the bathroom, you should keep an eye on it. When water penetrates the surface of the bathroom floor, it can spread to other areas of the home. This increases the risk of water getting into areas ill-equipped to deal with moisture. And one of the most common symptoms of this problem is wet carpets.
Also, take a look around the door leading into your bathroom. Do you notice any damp spots? If you don't see anything, use your sense of touch. Walk barefoot over the surface and feel for any wet areas.
If you discover any wet areas, investigate further and decide whether you need help from an expert/professional (such as Cozy Tiling).
Sign #4: Wet marks or stains in the ceiling
If you have an upstairs bathroom, watch out for damp spots or stains in the ceiling below because water can travel a long distance.
Any brown, copper, or dark stain on the ceiling is a sign of a leakage in the ceiling. A sagging ceiling indicates that water from a leak is reaching the area.
Sign #5: Damaged wallpaper or paint
If you see blistering paint or water stains on your pretty wallpaper, you could have a bathroom leakage.
In most cases, steam from hot showers shouldn't cause paint to bubble or wallpaper to peel away. If wallpaper paint in rooms around or below the bathroom is peeling, you should investigate further.
Contact Cozy Tiling, a trusted tiling company if you need any waterproofing and tiling advice.
