There are many kinds of bathtub leaks, and they come in all manner of shapes and sizes. While many of them can be pretty easily fixed without the need for a professional, there are others that will need to be repaired by a trained plumber. If you have a problem that requires expert help, call Feehan Plumbing & Heating at us at the number above.
First, of course, you need to determine the source of the leak. There are normally five areas where bathtub leaking problems in Broomall take place. Here’s a look at all of them.
- An old faucet: More than likely, your bathtub is leaking because your faucet is old. If you have a leak around a faucet, you can fix it by replacing the washer and using a plumber’s tape to seal the valve threads. Just make sure that, before you unscrew the faucet, you shut off the water.
- The grout could be a problem: Usually, bathtub leaking problems in Broomall, and shower leaks as well, are not caused by a leaky pipe. They take place when the grout in the tile shrinks. This causes water to run down behind or underneath the tiles. This is a fairly simple kind of leak to repair, but it can be challenging to locate the source because while you may notice the water in one spot, the actual leak could be in another spot. Once you determine the source, you can probably fix the problem by simply re-grouting the tile.
- The body of the tub: If you find that the leak is not coming from the faucet, fill up the tub and then turn off the water. If the tub itself is the source of the leak, you will quickly see it. While a crack in a bathtub is fairly rare, if there is one you will probably see some reddish-brown rust forming along that crack. However, if you do not see any signs of a crack, then a leaking overflow washer is more than likely the cause of the problem.
- The overflow pipe: Between the back of the tub and the overflow pipe that connects from the tub to the drainpipe you will find an overflow washer, which is a beveled rubber washer. You can, if you’re handy with tools, replace the overflow washer on your own. But more than likely you will need a plumber to fix this kind of leak.
- The drain: There is also the possibility that your outlet pipe is clogged, and that is causing a leak. If there is only a moderate clog, you can try pouring a half-cup of baking soda down the drain, and follow that with a half-cup of vinegar. It could take as long as three hours before you know whether or not this fix is working, plus it will probably be quite messy.
If you do not treat the leak quickly – no matter what the source – then you could very easily have a mold problem. So if you find that you cannot fix your bathtub leaking problem in Broomall, please contact Feehan Plumbing & Heating!