Routine Inspections You Can Do To Inspect Water Damage Repairs

Alright, let’s go there – to the bathroom. Easily one of the most frequented rooms in our homes, the bathroom is essential in our daily lives. In order for bathroom fixtures to work properly, there needs to be running water with proper draining. Because of how much water runs through our bathrooms, it is no surprise that it is a common location for water damage and repairs to occur. At Southeast Restoration, we know how frustrating it is when your bathroom is out of commission due to water damage, so we are going to walk you through a few routine inspections you can do in your bathroom to help reduce the risk of water damage and find issues so you can address them before they lead to bigger problems. 

Water Damage Repair In Athens

• Inspect the plumbing in your bathroom regularly. A good time to implement this is on your bathroom cleaning day. Not sure what to look for? Any pipes that you can see, i.e. under the bathroom sink and behind the toilet, are ones you can check for signs of leaks. Most of these pipes have loops or turns, so feel around them for any moisture, and check the connections to ensure they are sealed tight. If you feel moisture buildup on the outside of the pipes or see leaks, have them checked before you continue to use them.  You should also look for signs of corrosion or rust, which occur naturally over time but can weaken the integrity of the plumbing and eventually lead to water damage. Catching these things early before they become serious problems will save your bathroom from serious water damage. 
• Make sure fixtures are sealed properly. Caulk around tubs and showers seal these fixtures and prevent water from leaking out and around them. It is very common for caulk to begin to pull away over time, which could let water get behind your plumbing fixtures and cause damage to your walls and/or floors. The good news is this is a pretty easy fix. You can purchase caulk from your local convenience store and reapply it yourself. If you notice any chipped, cracked, or separated seals along your tub or shower, reseal them before you continue to let water run through them. It is good practice to reapply caulk around your tub and shower every few years to prevent separation so leaks do not occur in the first place. 
• Regularly clean out your drains in both the sink and tub/shower. Clogged or backed-up drains disrupt water flow and result in water backing up all over in your bathroom. Excess soap scum, grime, and hair are common culprits of clogged bathroom drains. You can utilize drain shields to help catch excess hair from going down the drain to prevent clogging and make cleaning a little easier on you (though still not the most pleasant). You can also use drain cleaners to help remove the build-up of minerals and residue from inside the drain. You should clean your drains regularly with either commercial drain cleaner or a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water to remove excess build-up and keep water flowing freely through your drains.
• Last, but definitely not least, take care of your toilet. There are few things worse than sewage backup in your bathroom, and clogged toilets are one of the most common culprits of that type of water damage. Clean your toilet regularly to keep excess build-up from slowing the flow of the water, and make sure you are not flushing too much toilet paper down the toilet (or any other products or items for that matter). Sanitary wipes and personal hygiene products should be thrown in the garbage instead of flushed down the toilet where they can cause clogs and blockages. 

We know it may not always be the most fun job, but routinely cleaning and inspecting your bathroom can help prevent major water damage from occurring. When you do need water damage repair in Athens, call Southeast Restoration. We specialize in water damage repair whether in your bathroom or any other area of your home.