Your bathroom is one of the most frequently used rooms in your home. Water is necessary for the bathroom fixtures to function. Toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs all require plumbing to make them work. As these fixtures wear over time, they are susceptible to corrosion, loosened connections, and damage. Unfortunately, with all the water and all the potential problems, bathrooms are very prone to water damage. From our water damage restoration specialists, here are some ways that you can help prevent water damage from occurring in your bathroom.
When drains get blockages or clogs, they disrupt the flow of water, leading to overflow and flooding. Soap scum, grime, and hair are all common culprits of drain clogs in bathrooms. Since you cannot avoid these things going down your sink and shower drain, what you can do is help to minimize what actually makes it down the drain. Drain shields and guards are inexpensive purchases that you place over the drain to filter what can and cannot go down them. They catch hair and excess soap scum and grime so that you can wipe them down instead of letting them run down the drain where they can build up and eventually cause clogs. You should also clean out drains periodically with commercial grade drain cleaner or a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water. This will prevent too much build up from forming inside the drainpipe and help reduce the risk of clogs.
Toilets tend to clog and overflow frequently, and that is a messy problem that no one wants to have to deal with. Save yourself the trouble of toilet water cleanup by being considerate of how much you are putting down your toilet. Make sure that you are not outing too much toilet paper down the toilet, and do not flush anything other than toilet paper. Sanitary wipes and other personal hygiene products should be thrown away in the garbage, not down the toilet where they can cause blockages. You should also pay attention to the water level in your toilet. If it is too low, or too high, there could be a drainage problem somewhere. If you have small children in your home, be sure to teach them not to flush anything down the toilet, and keep a close watch on them.
Grout and caulk are key players in sealing fixtures, and keeping water from leaking out of the shower and tub and causing water damage in your bathroom. If you notice that caulk or grout is chipped, cracked, or deteriorating, repair it. You should consider reapplying caulk every few years to avoid any leaks. If there are any cracks or other damage areas in your shower or tub, get them corrected. Keep tubs and showers clean from buildup that could wash down the drain.
As pipes age, they begin to corrode and rust, causing leaks over time. You should inspect your pipes regularly and look for any signs that may indicate they are leaking. Some signs of water damage from leaking pipes are: musty smells, water spots or stains, bubbling on walls, warping on floors. Check the faucet supply lines under bathroom vanities to be sure no water is leaking, and check the connections behind the toilet.
Keeping up with routine maintenance in your bathroom, and performing regular inspection will help reduce the risk of costly water damage restoration and help you find it sooner if there is a problem. When water damage occurs, whether in the bathroom or any other area of your home, water damage restoration needs to begin as soon as possible. Total Restoration GC specializes in water damage restoration and offers services in Indianapolis 24/7 to respond as quickly as possible.
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