Leaks are sometimes unavoidable. It can be very messy at home. You have to prioritize repairing it before it leads to further damages.
Leaking showers usually happen, and it is difficult to do a DIY on leaks. It’s because you need tools and skills to do it. Otherwise, it might cause further damages.
Leaking Sinks
How do you detect leaks in your sink? Using a sponge, dab water on the faucet base and around the rim. Use your flashlight to light up and see if there are leaks around the rim.
The common signs of leaking sink rim are loose faucet, water stains, and dampness in the cabinet. Other indicators are deteriorating caulking around the rim and loosened plastic countertop laminate.
To fix this problem, tighten on the nut at the base of the faucet. Countercheck the clips beneath the rim too. Tighten them too. Remove old caulking and apply new caulk if the rim is still sealed.
You also need to inspect the supply tubes below the sink. See if there is water leakage. To do this, use a dry paper towel or tissue. Wipe the supply tubes. From here, see if the tissue has any wet spots.
Major signs of leaking sink plumbing are water stains and puddles. You can fix this by tightening the packing nut. If you are not able to stop the leak, you might need to replace the entire valve already.
How about the drain connections or slip joints of the sink? These leaks are usually hidden. They may be behind your items in the sink cabinet. These leaks can damage your cabinet (especially if it is wooden). The sign for leaks are damaged and loose flooring around the sink. Sometimes, there is also a foul or damp odor. You can also notice water stains.
You can fix this leak from the sink basket strainer. Tighten the sink ring nut. This nut is right below the sink. Disconnect and detach the strainer. Seal the connection. Reattach it. Now, if the leak is from the drain slip joint, tighten the slip nut. Detach the joint. Apply a joint compound. Reassemble.
If you can’t seem to fix the problem, best to look for licensed plumbers Rockingham City.
Leaks in the Bathroom
The bathrooms are also one of the usual plumbing problems. Test your shower door to know if the water is splashing around it. Do you see water seeping behind the door frame? You need to caulk the door frame. Then apply the new caulking on the joint of the tub that meets the floor.
Splash leaks may initially seem minor. But if not immediately addressed, it can lead to bigger damages in the floor area. It can result in the tile damages or and your other flooring around the area.
To detect it, the signs are usually water stains around the joists or ceiling. There can also be loose tiles. Flaking or peeling paints can also be seen. Water seeping is also a sign. If you see molds, it is also a sign of the leaking problem.
You can fix this problem by installing a fitting splash guard. If you have overlapping sliding doors, fully close them always. Remove old door sweeps and replace them. Seal the leaking frames and any gaps. Wipe excess caulk right away. After the caulk dries, you can retest if the problem has been solved.
Another part of the bathroom that is prone to leaks is the area where the drain is attached to the shower or tub. This is common for fiberglass or plastic shower tubs. If not addressed immediately, these leaks can stain and damage the ceiling beneath. If the tub is on a slab, these leaks can destroy the flooring of the bathroom. It can even extend to other adjoining rooms.
The signs of these cases are loose and damp flooring. The joists and ceiling below can also be stained. To repair this tub drain, unscrew the drainage flange. Clean it. Then use a silicone caulk and apply it. Detach the gasket. Look for a replacement gasket. Then, install your new gasket. Re-attach the flange.
You can also tighten the nut and lock it. If this does not work, you have to replace the whole drain assembly.
There can also be tile leaks in the bathroom. Water penetrates through old caulk or grout. Tiles may fall off. Other damages to the bathroom can also happen.
If you always see mold, it is a sign of this problem. Loose tiles and stained ceiling are also common signs. You can fix this by removing the worn-out caulk or grout. Also, remove the loose tiles. If some of the tiles are still good, you can fix the leak, then put these tiles back.
Check toilets too. The signs of leaks in the toilets are stained ceiling below the toilet and water seeping. You may also have damaged flooring due to the leaks.
Depending on the problem, you might need to replace the old wax ring. If the flange’s level is low, you might need to add another flange. Make sure it is a quality plastic flange. If bolt slots are damaged, you need to install a metallic flange. If the toilet rocks, add some shims below upon re-installation.
Repairing leaks for your sinks and toilets is not easy. While you can try to fix it, the best thing you can still do is to call a professional leak detection company. This way, you can be assured that you can fix your leaks immediately and with a guarantee.