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Common plumbing leaks and how to spot them

bathroom renovation pimlico

Plumbing leaks: any type of leak can cost you thousands of pounds in repairs. It’s important to spot small problems before they become big ones. In this post, we’ll look at some of the different leaks that could cause major problems and show you how you can identify them.

Plumbing Leaks: WPJ Bathroom 1

Plumbing leaks: Number 1: Splash leaks

This is when water escapes past your shower curtain or shower door. It might seem minor, but if it’s consistently happening when your shower is being used, this type of leak can cause serious damage if the water seeps into the flooring. It can cause your sub-flooring to rot, leading to an potentially expensive replacement project. In this instance, you’ll notice loose tiles near your tub, peeling paint or chalky wood finish. Or it could simply be unexplained pools of water on the floor, mould spots on the wall or water stains on the ceiling of the room directly below your bathroom.

To locate the source, splash water around your shower door and if water seeps out, you’ve got a leak. If there are any gaps in the silicone around the shower door or frame, this could be the source of the leak.

Plumbing leaks: Number 2: Drainage leaks

These types of leaks occur when water seeps from the outside of the sinkhole or drain. Sometimes in old showers, the seal around the drain may be broken, which can lead to leaks. Another good indicator of a leak in your bathroom would be stains or damage on the ceiling in rooms downstairs. To be sure it’s a drain leak, put some water in the tub, plug the drain and mark the water level. Come back in an hour and if the water level’s changed, we’d recommend you call in a plumber to investigate and fix the lix.

Plumbing leaks: Number 3: Tile Leaks

This happens when water seeps through the grout or silicon and gets into the walls. If you notice tiles start to fall off, or if you notice the wall frame is rotting, persistent mould, peeling paint on the wall exterior to the bathroom, you could have a tile leak.

Plumbing leaks: Number 4: Toilet leaks

You’ll notice this where the toilet meets the waste pipe or on the floor. Each time you flush, a little bit of water seeps out, which can damage your floors. If you notice water around the base of your toilet, if the floor feels soft or if the toilet rocks or moves when you sit on it, call a professional. They’ll be able to remove the toilet and investigate the cause of the leak further.

Plumbing Leaks: WPJ Bathroom

Plumbing leaks: Number 5: Kitchen sink counter

These leaks will eventually cause damage to your worktops and cabinets. If you notice pools of water, damp, water stains or a bad odour coming from inside the cupboards under the sink. You might be able to fix this yourself by simply resealing any leaks using a sealant. Also, tighten the nuts under the base of the tap.

Other slow leaks you should be weary of:

Any leaks or puddles around your boiler should be addressed immediately by calling your local gas safe registered engineer. If you think your water tank is leaking, wipe the surface of the tank with a dry paper towel. If it gets damps or wet at any point, you’ll know there’s a leak. Get your engineer in to take a look immediately. Over time, the leak could get bigger and lead to the tank bursting, causing an even bigger flooding problem.

Other ways to spot leaks include stained walls or wall paper, stained ceilings or mould in the corners of rooms adjoining or adjacent to wet rooms. If you discover a leak, call our office and arrange a meeting for one of our plumbers or engineers to come out.

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