The problem with a leak in your bathroom is that you often don’t know it’s leaking until it’s too late. This can leave you with costly repairs you might not have budgeted for.
Watch: How to renovate a small bathroom
Luckily, there are some warning signs to look out for that indicate you’ve got a problem, giving you time to get the moisture under control before it’s too late.
Tell-tale signs your bathroom has a leak
Jacques Courtin is the managing director at Megasealed. He says these are the most common signs that a leak may be present in your home.
1. Mould
Something many of us has experienced in the last year is mould, and lots of it. Mould spores are everywhere, but what they need to grow is moisture. If there’s mould persistently growing in your bathroom, then there’s a chance you might have sprung a hidden leak somewhere. Until that leak is fixed, the mould will keep coming back.
2. Grout problems
If your grout looks a little worse for wear, it could mean excess moisture is seeping through the cracks from somewhere. This can cause your grout to start to chip away. Don’t ignore this warning sign. The longer a leak goes undetected, the worse the damage will be later on.
3. Tiles
If your tiles are beginning to crack, lift or move, it’s likely that they weren’t installed properly, and there could be excess moisture involved. If this sounds like your tiles, they may need to be removed to see if there is a leak.
4. Brown patches on your walls
Brown patches on your walls can signal an internal leak, which usually means the water has already soaked through the gyprock. Whatever you do, don’t try and cover the stains with a coat of paint. The source of the problem needs to be addressed first. Once you’ve fixed the leak, here’s how to clean the brown spots off your wall.
How do plumbers find a hidden water leak?
Many plumbers offer leak detection services using thermal heat technology to find hidden leaks – even if it’s hidden behind a wall or under tiles.
How long can a water leak go undetected?
Unfortunately, most leaks start small and are hidden to the naked eye. Depending on the cause of the leak and where it’s hidden, it can take weeks or even months before more obvious signs start to show.
Early detection and knowing the tell-tale signs of a bathroom leak will save you money in the long run. As tempting as it is to try and fix the leak yourself, when it comes to major bathroom leaks, it’s a good idea to call in an expert to fix the leak properly, so it doesn’t happen again.
You might also like:
What to do if water is leaking through your light fittings
How to fix the silicone seal on the basin
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