3 Common Causes for a Shower Leak

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

Shower pans can become damaged or worn and start to leak.

Reasons Your Shower Could Be Leaking

If you regularly see standing water after a bath or shower, you'll want to address the situation immediately to ensure you don't have a bathtub leak in your Lafayette, LA, home. Here are three reasons your shower could be leaking.

1. Broken Tiles or Missing Grout
Even a tiny crack in the tile or grout of your shower can cause a sizable bathtub leak. The water from the shower seeps through the crack and can damage the sheetrock and wood behind the wall. Look closely at each tile, and the surrounding grout, in the shower and look for cracks or missing pieces. If you don't feel that you can replace or repair the damaged tiles yourself, contact a water damage restoration service to fix them and have them address any potential water damage from the leak.

2. Shower Pan Leak
Over time, shower pans can become damaged or worn and start to leak. To check for a leak, cover and plug the drain to ensure no water can get down it. Then, fill the shower pan with a couple of inches of water. If the bathroom is on the second floor, keep an eye on the ceiling underneath the bathroom. However, if the bathroom is on the main floor, look at the joists under the house. If there is a leak in your shower pan, you'll start to see water spots appear in as little as 20 minutes.

3. Damaged Caulking or Gaskets
One culprit that often causes a shower or bathtub leak is damaged caulking or missing gaskets. If you have a door on your tub or shower, turn on the shower and aim the water at the door. Look for any areas where water is obviously leaking out. Replace any missing caulking or gaskets to ensure the water stays inside the shower where it belongs.
Shower leaks can be stressful. However, knowing what to look for and relying on professionals can make a hard time lot easier to handle.