How to Spot Water Damage in Your Bathroom

4/23/2020 (Permalink)

The worst water damage is the kind you don’t detect until significant damage is done. Water can leak slowly and silently, and bathrooms can be notoriously hard to spot because it tends to be a room with moisture anyway. As it turns out, these quiet drips can cause extensive water damage with time. What are some common causes of water leaks in bathrooms? Here are three typical causes:

• Grout deterioration around showers
• Broken faucet in sink, bathtub or shower
• Damaged drain in bathtub or shower
  

While damage can be hard to spot in a bathroom, here are a few things to look for; sure signs that you have water damage that needs to be addressed.

Mildew or Mold

The first sign of a hidden leak is usually mold and mildew on the outside of the tub, shower or wall. While it might not be a sure sign of significant water damage, it does indicate that something is off and that it might be time to call in a water damage specialist to check it out. To be sure, dry any moisture that appears on the outside surface of the tub, shower or wall. If water reappears shortly after you use the tub or shower again, you’ve got water leaking from somewhere.

Damaged Walls or Ceiling

Water gets splashed on bathroom floors now and then, and that should not be a problem as long as it’s not substantial. Bathrooms are built to take occasional water exposure. However, if you see a patch, stain or crack on the ceiling below the washroom, there’s an issue. You are likely dealing with a shower pan leak or broken drain line. Of course, if you’re in a one-story home, there won’t be a ceiling below your bathroom, so you may have to rely on mold or mildew appearing or an odd odor.

Earthy Smell

Mold has a distinctive earthy smell that is fairly easy to detect. It is a clear indication of hidden leaks in the house, which can be hard to track down. Water can drip at one point and move to damage another part of the house, leading to a misdiagnosis. If you suspect a water leak, it’s best to call in a trained water damage professional to help track down and address the leak to avoid significant damage.

If you’ve experienced a leak in your bathroom, or suspect you have water damage, contact SERVPRO of Phoenix at (480) 503-2090 to get the issue resolved immediately. We’re here 24/7 to help you. Call us today!