Water Damage and Mold in Bathrooms

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage and Mold in Bathrooms

If you’re anything like me, your bathtub is one of the most beloved objects in your home. Nothing beats finishing off a rough day like slipping beneath the surface of a warm bath and soaking your troubles away. However, your relaxing paradise can easily turn into your worst nightmare if not treated with proper care. Water damage and mold can sneak up on even the most pampered of bathtubs and can cause serious damage to your home if not caught and repaired quickly. Here are a few things you need to know about identifying water damage risks.

Know the Signs

Spotting the tell-tale beginnings of leaks in your bathroom is the first and more important step. While some signs of water damage are obvious, such as flooding, there are some smaller signs you will also need to look out for.

1. Softness and discoloration in your bathtub walls – If the tiles or plaster around your tub or shower show signs of distortion such as soft denting, blistering, or warping, this could mean there is water trapped behind the wall. If you have gaps in your grout or caulk, shower spray or bath water may be seeping into the walls and subfloor.
2. Dripping faucets – Even a small drip you hardly notice could be a symptom of a larger problem. There could be a crack or a loose valve in your pipes that could lead to serious internal water damage in your home.
3. Sluggish drains – If water struggles to escape down the drain in your bathtub or sink, this means there is a blockage slowing down the disposal. While this could be simply be caused by hair gathering in the drain and can just as easily be fixed with a basic filter or chemical cleaner if left untended blocked drains can cause a buildup of pressure and bacteria in the pipes, leading to mold growth and pipe bursts.
4. Mold and mildew – Mold growing around your faucet or the rim of your tub is a sign of serious moisture problems and lack of proper ventilation in your bathroom. Bathtubs and showers are havens for mildew because of the dampness and humidity, which can make it difficult to treat once the mold starts to spread.