The last thing you want to deal with is a leaking shower after spending a nice day at Amerson River Park. If you notice that your shower is leaking into the basement of your Macon, GA area home, you need the help of an experienced plumber to address the problem. The experts at Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling provide a range of plumbing services, including leak detection, all performed with care, speed, and quality for peace of mind. Here are some signs you might have a leak under your shower or tub, common causes, and more.
Signs You Have a Leak Under the Shower or Bathtub
Look for these signs that could indicate you’re dealing with a serious problem that could end up with water leaking into the basement.
Visible signs of water damage
While some water damage is hidden, other signs are easy to see with the naked eye. If you notice any of the following, you may have a leak under (or somewhere behind) your shower or bathtub:
- Water stains or discoloration on the ceilings and walls below your bathroom, most notably below where the shower or tub is located.
- Green spots or strange musty odors may indicate mold or mildew growth.
- Curling, bubbling, or peeling paint or wallpaper.
- Loose or cracked bathroom tiles, grout, or caulk.
- Warped, swollen, or discolored drywall.
- Pooling water sitting around the base of your bathtub or shower.
- Dripping water from the ceiling into your basement from the bathroom area.
Reduced water pressure
If your water pressure is suddenly much lower than normal, it might be due to a leaking bathtub or shower. In some cases, a leak also causes a high-pitched hissing sound that you can hear whenever the fixture is in use. Regardless of the source of the leak, this reduced water pressure can occur anywhere in your home, not just in the bathroom.
High water bills
Unless you’ve had a significant change in usage, your monthly water bill should stay fairly consistent. However, if you notice that your water bill is suddenly much higher than normal, you might have a serious tub or shower leak.
Floor issues
Pay close attention to the condition of your bathroom floors. If you notice warm or hot spots, it might be due to leaking shower or bathtub pipes underneath. Creaks or squeaks, or unstable floors can also indicate water damage. If your shower or bathtub is leaking into the basement, it can cause significant damage to the floors above and below, as well as to the structural integrity of the basement itself.
Common Causes of a Shower Leaking Into the Basement
Here are some of the most common causes of a shower drain leaking into the basement.
Shower pan issues
Your shower pan is an integral, waterproof layer located directly underneath the shower floor. If the shower pan gets cracked, if it was installed improperly, or if the liner deteriorates, water may start to seep through it and leak into your basement.
Faulty shower drain
The shower drain itself can be the source of a serious leak. If this drain has a cracked or damaged drain gasket, or if the drain itself is damaged, water can easily leak into the drain line and eventually into the basement below.
Leaking shower base
The shower base is essentially the bottom of your shower where you stand. This part of the shower may have damaged sealant, cracked grout, or actual cracks in the base itself that eventually allow water to seep through.
Pipe or valve issues
Broken or loose pipes can cause your shower to leak into the basement. A leaky or cracked shower valve can also cause water to leak inside your shower walls. Eventually, this water will start to seep into your basement. This may also happen if the shower arm, which is connected to the showerhead and the plumbing inside the wall, is cracked and starts to leak.
Clogged drain
Hair, body oils, and soap scum all gather from your shower and go down the drain. Over time, these things will build up inside your plumbing and create a clog in the drain. If your shower drain is severely clogged, it will eventually cause a leak that could go into your basement or another room below it.
Other causes of a shower leaking
Any gaps or cracks in the caulk or grout around your shower or the seams of the shower stall will eventually allow water to penetrate. A worn-out or damaged gasket and seal in various parts of the shower, such as the drain or shower valve, will also cause leaks. Fortunately, you won’t have to remove tiles or flooring to fix these issues. Excessive water pressure may also put too much strain on your plumbing fixtures, resulting in a leak.
Is It the Shower or Bathtub? (Or Something Else?)
While water leaking into your basement could be caused by a leak in the shower or bathtub, it could also be caused by something else. Remember these tips to help you try and locate the source of the leak before you contact Ricky Heath for help.
Shower leaks
To check for a shower leak, start by visually inspecting the shower, looking for puddles or wet spots around the shower base, walls, or ceiling below it. Next, check the shower liner tray and look for cracks. Check the caulk around the shower edges and look for cracks, gaps, crumbling, or missing caulk.
After you perform a visual inspection of these areas, check the faucet and showerhead. Look for signs of leaks around these areas. Finally, run a quick test by filling your shower pan and looking carefully to see if any leaks are coming from it.
Bathtub leak
Just as you did with your shower, start looking for bathtub leaks by checking for puddles or wet spots near the base of the tub, on the walls, and the ceiling in your basement. Check the overflow pipe and keep an eye out for any leaks around it. Next, look for any signs of leaks around the bathtub faucet. Once you follow these steps, perform a test by filling your tub with water to look for leaks coming from anywhere else around it.
Leaks somewhere else
Not all leaks coming into your basement are from the bathtub or shower. You may have a sewer or drain line leak if you notice that the shower or tub frequently backs up or drains slowly. There’s also a possibility that you have a water supply line leak due to damage or an improperly installed connection.
Call Ricky Heath Today!
Don’t let a shower or tub leak ruin your basement or your day. The experts at Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling are available to perform leak detection services and plumbing repairs for your Macon, GA, area home. If you’re ready to schedule service performed with care, speed, and quality, contact us today!
