Bathtubs and showers are supposed to deliver water, but their purpose can also create leaks. Since they are normally wet or deliver water into the home, it can be difficult to find a leak until it is too late and the damage is done. So, how much damage can one small leak cause when left unchecked? Frankly, it is a lot, and the repairs would be costly.
Water can wreck drywall, lift tiles and warp subfloors. So, if there is a smell or something looks wrong in your bathroom, it may be coming from a leak.
Most Mortar and Grout Are not Waterproof
Many people assume that cementitious materials, like grout and mortar, are waterproof. Unfortunately, they are not necessarily waterproof. There is a huge difference between blocking out water versus not getting harmed by water. Most cement used for thin-set mortar and tile grout is not capable of blocking out water. Therefore, there still needs to be a waterproof barrier.
There is typically a tar paper or plastic sheeting barrier over the subfloor and behind tiles in a proper tub or shower installation. The barrier connects to the shower or tub drain, allowing water that would pass through to go into the drain, preventing the water from soaking in. If an installer decides to not use any waterproof barrier (despite it being a common part of the installation), water can easily sleep through every time you shower.
The Waterproof Barrier Can Get Worn Out
Most products made out of plastic material can last for some time. However, that does not mean they can avoid damage altogether. A decent barrier can still fail in more extreme conditions. For instance, let’s say that an exterior wall in the bathroom did not have proper insulation, allowing water and humidity to stay in the bathroom for a long time.
Plastic can still become brittle and fall apart, causing cracks that allow water to go through. If the tar paper barrier is old, it can also crack and break apart, too.
Another way the barrier can get damaged is through the actual installation process. Let’s say that there are screws inserted through a shower wall to mount shower curtain rods or a grab bar. The barrier can get damaged, causing holes that let leaks occur.
Water Leaks Through Shower Floor Cracks
Typically, tiled shower floors get installed over the prefabricated shower pan. The pan is specifically created for the tile. Alternatively, it can be built over a concrete shower pan, which gets fabricated on-site. Whatever the case may be, there is still a risk of the pan cracking.
The pan can crack when the subfloor is not strong enough to be able to hold it. When the pan cracks, there is a chance the water barrier will not hold, causing water to leak through the floor every time someone uses the shower.
Shower pans often have heavy and thick tar paper layers coated in hot tar during installation, which is common to find in older homes. Usually, they built a concrete form over it. These types of installations are incredibly durable, likely to last for a very long time. Newer homes may use plastic barriers.
Water Damage Affects More than the Bathroom
A small leak in the bathroom may not seem like much on the surface. There could be a bit of mildew or mold from a lack of consistent cleaning. However, leaks are the ideal place for mold and mildew to grow, and most people do not see it because it is under the shower wallboard or tiles.
A bit of mold or mildew is easy enough to clean up, but only if you can reach it. The mold that is festering under the wallboards and tiles will be hard to reach, allowing them to grow more. Even if you clean it, it will simply come back until you solve the cause of the growth (i.e. a leaky shower).
Leaky showers and baths can cause water damage that spreads for many years if no one notices it. Moisture can soften a ceiling, affecting the room under the bathroom. It can ruin the drywall on the other side of a wall. A more dangerous thing that can occur is that the framing members can warp and rot from water damage, requiring major surface and structural fixes.
Time for a Home Inspection
If you suspect that there is an issue with your shower and tubs, then it is time for a home inspection. Leaving these types of leaks can cause serious damage, even if they are small leaks. Small leaks still accumulate a lot of water that can easily spread to other rooms in your house.
Water is an important part of our daily lives, but if you are not careful it can cause more harm than good. A small leak in your shower can lead to a world of expensive repairs, likely requiring replacement work. If the leak is caught early, the homeowner can repair the leak and replace a few tiles or get some fresh caulk.
To prevent these problems, be sure to call a shower repair company right away to solve all your problems. They can address any small concerns before it gets worse. Fixing a small leak before it becomes bigger or causes worse damage is much more affordable and manageable than dealing with the aftermath of an unchecked leak. A shower repair company would also need to step in once the damage is getting quite obvious.
