As a homeowner, you already know the important role that regular maintenance plays in your property. Whether you live in the home or rent it out, keeping everything in check can help to contribute to a more comfortable living experience. It also helps to maintain the value of your property, which is important if you decide to sell in the future. There are several faults that you may notice over time or sometimes right after you buy a new home. Water leaking behind the wall of a shower is one such issue that may come up.
How To Recognize Leakage Behind A Shower Wall
When there is a leakage behind your shower wall, the signs may not always be obvious inside the shower itself. Sometimes, signs of leakage start to appear in other parts of your home and can lead to serious damage if not rectified.
If you have a two-story home, then you may start to notice a discoloration in the ceiling below the area where your shower is located. The discoloration may be accompanied by damage to the ceiling and even the walls in some cases. Sometimes, water can drip off down the walls in this area or directly to the ground from your ceiling.
Even in a single-story home, you may still notice a part of your drywall experiencing discoloration. Over time, the drywall can start to have a “spongy” feel to it. Cracks in your walls may also be an indication of water leakage.
The constant leaking can eventually lead to the development of mold. Even if you cannot see mold in the bathroom, you may notice an unpleasant smell when you enter this part of your home.
Why It Is Important To Fix A Leak Behind The Shower Wall
Water can be damaging when it consistently exposes certain materials – including what we use in the construction of our homes – to moisture for extended periods of time. There are several problems that can develop if you have a leak at the back side of your shower wall. Here are some of the issues that you may run into:
Mold and mildew can start to form, which can lead to health problems. When you breathe in mold spores, it can lead to irritation in your throat, as well as your nose. These spores can also cause sneezing, allergic reactions, and itchy eyes. Apart from health issues, mold can also cause structural damage to your home.
- Contamination is another important thing to keep in mind. If the pipe that leaks connects to your taps in the kitchen, then contaminants may enter the pipe at the cracked area. This can cause these contaminants to mix with your drinking water.
- A leak behind the shower wall will cause consistent water usage. Even if it is just a small leak, it is still important to ensure you fix it. The consistent dripping will cause an increase in your utility bills at the end of the month.
- Structural damage can happen due to more than just the mold that forms where water leaks. You may start to notice damage to your ceiling and walls, which you may need to replace in some instances.
- All of these factors can lead to financial losses due to the cost of repairing the damage that the leak causes.
Fixing A Leak Behind Your Shower Wall
There are some steps that you can take to fix a leak that you notice behind your shower’s wall. First, however, you should ensure you have all of the necessary tools on hand. A wrench that will fit over the faucet fittings is important, along with some rags. You should also turn off the main water supply to your home before you attempt these steps.
Here is a step-by-step guide that can help you throughout the repair process:
- Start by turning the faucet off and protecting the surfaces of the floor with some rags.
- You may need to open the shower valve to allow any remaining water in the pipes to drain.
- Now, take the faucets off, as well as the shower head.
- Inspect the areas where pipes run in both of these regions.
If you notice a broken pipe, you will need to replace it. Sometimes, however, the problem lies with the fittings that connect the pipe to the taps. In this particular case, you can use a wrench to tighten the bolts properly and see if this solves the problem. You may also need to get new fittings if the current ones have worn out – which can happen over time.
Any broken parts that you notice should also be replaced – this is a very important step. Broken parts may include the fittings that run in the wall behind the shower, as well as components that are connected to the shower head.
When you open these parts but do not see an area where there could be a leak, then it’s usually a good idea to get a professional plumber to do an inspection. These professionals will be able to assess the area around the shower in order to determine where the leak is coming from. They are also more experienced in understanding common areas where leaks develop behind a shower wall.
Once you have fixed the leak, it is important to take a closer look at the damage it caused. Fixing the damage that was dealt with by the constant water exposure can help to prevent further complications down the line. This also helps to reduce the effect that factors like mold can have on your health.
Conclusion
Water leakages need to be fixed as soon as they are detected. Fixing a leak behind your shower wall can help to prevent the formation of mold, reduce the risk of adding to your utility bill, and provide a safer and more hygienic environment to shower in. Look out for the signs that we shared in this post. Professionals like Waterwork Plumbing can help to pin down the location of the leak and provide a quality service that fixes the leak before it causes further damage.
