What Causes A Bathtub To Leak? A leaking bathtub can cause water damage to your home, which can be expensive to repair or replace. There are two types of leaks that happen in bathtubs: drain leaks and overflow leaks, both of which can cause serious problems if not caught early on.
Common Causes Of Leaky Bathtubs:
1. Faucet Leaks
The most common bathtub leak happens in the faucet. Most faucets have a rubber washer that seals the faucet to the sink. Over time, these washers can become worn out and break, causing a leak.
To fix this problem, you need to locate your faucet’s shut-off valves; one on the hot water side and one on the cold water side. If you are unsure of where to find these valves in your house, contact a plumbing professional for assistance.
Once you’ve shut off the water to your tub, you will be able to see the faucet and washers. You want to repair the leak by removing the handle from the bathtub faucet and replacing both washers.
If possible, try to replace only one washer at a time as this can sometimes cause leaks. You can buy new washers at your local hardware store and/or plumbing supply store. The most common faucet washers are made of rubber and metal, so be sure to buy the right size and type for your faucet.
2. Drain Leaks
After your bath or shower, the water left in the tub drains out through an overflow tube and a drain. Over time, these tubes can become worn out or corroded and cause a leak.
Worn-out tubes will cause a slow continuous leak. Corroded tubes will cause quicker leaks where water will come out when you turn on the faucet after your shower or bath.
To fix this problem, you need to locate your overflow tube at the lowest point of your tub near the drain stopper inlet. Follow this tube from the lowest point of your tub to the drain inlet. If you are unsure of where to find these valves in your house, contact a professional for assistance.
Once you’ve located the drain inlet, remove it and replace the tubing with a new one or an epoxy drain repair kit that can be purchased at your local hardware store or plumbing supply store.
3. Grouting Issues
Most bathtub grouting is made of plastic and can become brittle and crack over time. This will cause leaks and sagging grout across your tub. To fix this problem, you will need to remove the bathroom wall covering and replace any loose areas of grout until you achieve a tight-fitting, seamless finish.
Be sure not to skimp on the number of grouting materials that are used so that your tub’s floor is covered with enough grout to allow your tub to sit in place. The best place to find the correct grouting material for your tub is at your local hardware store or plumbing supply store.
You can also contact a professional to install the new grout in your tub. Be sure to ask a professional to help you find exactly the right grout for your tub so that you get the right color and texture.
- Once your tub is dry, you can paint or stain the new grout to match the existing bathtub.
- If you need to replace the entire grout in your tub, you need to contact a professional for assistance.
- To fix a leaky tub, you need to identify all of the areas where water is leaking, correct them, and then seal all remaining holes.
4. Cracks in the Bathtub
Over time, bathtubs can develop cracks as a result of wear and tear. Cracks can cause leaks around the tub and lead to mold and mildew growth. To fix this problem, you will need to remove the bathroom wall covering and patch any cracking areas with a contractor-grade silicone sealant spray.
To find these cracks, look for a thin dark line or marking on your bathtub where water is leaking through. Feel along this area with the back of your hand to locate the crack that’s causing the leak. Be sure to use plastic tarp strips to secure any loose areas of wall covering as well.
The wall covering should be securely fastened to the paper-style underlayment that is adhered to the wall. Doing so should prevent the wall covering from pulling away from the wall due to moisture expansion and contraction.
5. Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure can cause a shower head to leak, just like with your faucet. If you have low water pressure, it is important to check your tub’s expansion tank and fill it with water so that the tank will have a full amount of water in the tub when next you turn on the shower.
A vent pipe is also located within your bathtub; this pipe connects your house’s plumbing to your shower head. Cracks in this pipe or leaks in the pipe itself can cause low water pressure.
To fix this problem, you need to locate the shower head’s shut-off valve. Disconnect the pipe at this valve and fill the bathtub with a mix of two parts white vinegar and one part water. Once you’ve completed this step, reattach the pipe and reinstall it at its original point in your bathroom.
What Causes A Bathtub to Leak? – Conclusion
What Causes A Bathtub To Leak? Bathtubs can give you a great place to unwind after your long day at work or school. However, tubs can also be a potential health hazard if not properly maintained and inspected for leaks regularly. In most cases, fixing these leaks can be done by simply replacing the washers in your faucet or the tubing in your drain line.
If you find that your tub has developed crack lines, or your water pressure is not what it used to be, contact a professional for assistance.
Have a handyman inspect your bathtub for leaks and other problems as soon as possible. You can also hire someone to fix these problems for you. The sooner you tackle these leaky problems, the better.