Monday, January 19, 2009

Prevent Water Damage in Your Bathroom

By Pat Johnson

There is a lot of plumbing happening in your bathroom. If trouble breaks out you may not notice it right away because everything is hidden in the walls and floors. When you do finally catch wind of the problem it may already be too late avoid a costly repair bill.

Better to identify and correct a problem when it first develops than to be oblivious and only notice a leak after it has had a chance to do major damage. Make a habit of checking the main fixtures regularly so that when something out of the ordinary occurs you will notice it and take action immediately.

Be especially vigilant when you are inspecting the toilet area. Contaminated sewage water from leak can not only do physical damage to the surroundings, but can also prevent a very serious health concern. For this reason you need to be extra observant and be sure everything is sealed up tight.

Check the seals and the tank. Look for any signs of moisture that shouldn't be there. Also feel the floor around the toilet. If the floor feels soft or spongy it may be a sign that water has got beneath the flooring and has weakened it.

Inspect the bathtub and shower. This area takes in a great amount of water so it needs to be in tip top shape. If water is getting out of the contained area then a disaster is just waiting to happen.

Check for cracked tiles and flaking grout. If water gets behind these tiles it can really do serious damage. Check the caulking around the tub and be assured that no moisture and get into any crevices.

Finally inspect the sink and counter. The pipes are often contained in the cabinet below so leaks are not always discovered right away. Look underneath for any signs of water or water stains.

You will thank yourself later if you take the time to maintain this routine inspection. Repair bills from water damage in the bathroom can be extreme. You don't want to wait until things are out of hand when you could have prevented them to begin with. - 16463

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