How to Locate a Bathtub or Shower Leak

8/15/2023 (Permalink)

Though some water leaks throughout your Florida home can be easy to spot, there are a vast amount of others that require more than a casual glance. A shower or bathtub leak, for example, can fall into the latter category, as there are a variety of places for leaks to emerge from in these areas. If you need help identifying a water leak in your shower, SERVPRO of Gulf Beaches South / West St. Petersburg can help! Read how to locate one without much hassle effectively. Once identifying the source, contacting a trained water restoration team can ensure your home is cleared of any water damage, as well. 

Check the Common Sources First

Before tearing into the tile work or uprooting your tub, it pays to investigate the more apparent areas first. After a shower, inspect familiar sources such as the:

• Showerhead face,
• The O-ring between the showerhead and arm,
• Faucet handles, and the areas surrounding them, or
• The caulking at the base or surrounding of a shower/tub combination

Leak issues are generally noticeable in these spaces and can be more easily detected by sight after running water through your shower.

Have a Professional Inspect Your Shower Pan, Whether New or Old

A shower pan leak is another usual spot for an issue, especially in tiled shower designs. These leaks can start due to the pan being too old and faulty or simply due to a new one being installed incorrectly. Therefore, it pays to have someone inspect this space as a potential cause for any shower or bathtub leak.

Determine the Severity of the Issue by Searching the Levels Below

There’s no clearer indication of a bad water leak within your shower floor than through the ceiling or flooring directly below the shower itself. Look for signs of water damage or condensation on the ceiling beneath a second-story shower or throughout your crawl space below a first-floor shower.

When you’re hoping to eliminate a shower or bathtub leak in your Florida home, follow any of these efficient methods for a quick solo inspection before contacting a professional for further assistance.