The bathroom is one of the most trafficked and used rooms in your home. With all the faucets and fixtures in constant use, it is no wonder that bathrooms are very prone to water damage. Toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs need water to function properly, and when these malfunction over time or with misuse the consequences can be dire.
Bathroom flooding is a nightmare. Water damage may be new to you, but don’t panic. Our water damage restoration specialists at Onsite Restoration share basic tips that can prevent water damage from occurring in your bathroom.
Four Tips For Preventing Bathroom Flooding
1. Keep Drains Clear And Clean
Drains will overflow and flood when the flow of water is disrupted from blockages or clogs. Basic hygiene maintenance, such as hair, soap scum, and grime, are the most common culprits that cause blockages and clogs. But the good news is that these can be easily minimized and prevented!
The easiest solution is to purchase an inexpensive drain shield and guard. You then place these over the shower or tub drains, and it filters what can and cannot go down. You will notice it catches excess soap scum and hair that can then be wiped or picked up and disposed of properly.
Additionally, periodically clean out your drains with a commercial drain cleaner or you can use a mixture of baking soda, hot water, and vinegar. This drain maintenance will help prevent build-up inside the drainpipe and reduce clogs and blockages. Call a professional plumber if you need help or you may run the risk of needing to call our water remediation experts.
2. Keep Your Toilet Clear And Clean
Do not overwork your toilet! Toilets can be fickle and tend to clog and overflow frequently, and that is one messy problem no one wants to clean up!
The best piece of advice for keeping your toilet clear and clean is to only put toilet paper down the toilet—and to not use too much. Ladies, never flush sanitary wipes or other personal hygiene products! And if you have little kids at home, teach them how to properly flush the toilet and what they can and cannot put in the toilet.
3. Check Your Shower and Tub Regularly
Many homeowners do not think to check their showers and tubs regularly. But this is an important thing to do in preventing water damage from a flooding bathroom.
When you check your shower and tub you should be looking at the grout and caulk. Grout and caulk are important for sealing fixtures and keeping the water from leaking out of the shower and tub, but over time they can also start to chip, crack, and deteriorate.
Not only does this eventually lead to leaks, but the chipped and cracked grout and caulk will build up in the drainpipes.
4. Check Your Plumbing Regularly
Your bathrooms pipes and plumbing over time will begin to corrode and rust. And you guessed it, this leads to leaking.
You should inspect your pipes regularly and look for signs of water damage. Typical signs include water spots or stains, bubbling on walls, warped floors, and musty smells. Make sure to look under the vanity (below the sink is a common place for prolonged leaks). Also, check the connections behind the toilet for any leaking water.
After a Bathroom Flood, Prevent Damage
Not all water damage and bathroom flooding are preventable, but by doing your part to stay diligent and on the lookout, you can possibly save yourself from a future flooding nightmare.
If you are experiencing flooding or your bathroom needs restoration from old water damage, make sure to contact Onsite Restoration at 813-579-5789. We are available 24/7 and are licensed to assist you with your bathroom flooding emergency anywhere in Tampa Bay.
