Plumbing Leak Repair – How to Find and Fix Hidden Leaks

A plumbing leak that goes undetected can turn into a big problem. The leak will cause water to spread, and you can end up with rot and mold. This means big repairs and big expenses. Fortunately, you can find hidden leaks and fix them before they become a disaster. Follow these steps to find and fix hidden leaks.

Splash Leaks

A very common type of leak is a splash leak. This is a leak that occurs when water escapes the tub or shower and seeps into the floor. The water can enter the subfloor and begin to rot. These are signs of splash leaks:

  • • The tile on the floor around the tub is loose, or the vinyl flooring is peeling;
  • • The paint around the shower is peeling, or the wood trim is flaking;
  • • There are water stains on the ceiling below the shower;
  • • There are mold spots on the floor or walls around the shower;
  • • You notice standing water on the floor after using the shower.

If you have a shower door, you can identify the source of the leak by splashing water all around the door frame. Wait a few minutes, and watch for the leaks to appear. You should also look for gaps in the rubber door sweep or gaskets; these are likely spots for water to escape.

Also, inspect the caulk around the base of the tub or shower. If there are any loose spots or gaps, then you should remove the old caulk and apply new caulk to prevent leaks. In the future, you can prevent leaks by closing sliding shower doors properly. The door on the inside should be closed so that it is closest to the faucet. If you use a shower curtain, make sure that it is closed completely, with the liner inside the tub.

Sink Rim Leaks

Sink rim leaks occur when water leaks under the edge of the sink and gets into your cabinets. Over time, a sink rim leak can ruin both your countertops and cabinets. These are signs of sink rim leaks:

  • • There are puddles, stains, or damp spots inside your cabinets;
  • • The laminate countertop around the sink is loose or peeling;
  • • The base of the faucet is coming loose;
  • • The caulk around the sink is starting to crumble or gap.

You can find the source by soaking a sponge and squeezing it to dribble water around the rim of the sink. Then watch for leaks. If your countertops are laminate, look at the bottom side of the countertops, using a flashlight. If the bottom side of the counter looks swollen or you see water stains, then you definitely have a leak. You can fix it by tightening the base of the faucet. There are clips under the rim of the sink that hold the sink to the counter top; you should tighten those, too. Finally, remove the old, worn caulk, and apply a new line of caulk around the sink rim.

Finding a small leak now and repairing it promptly can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. A little leak that isn’t addressed can lead to rotting floors, countertops, or cabinets, which can be very expensive to replace.

For a thorough inspection and leak detection, call the professional plumbers at Scott English Plumbing. 

We are available around the clock to respond to plumbing emergencies. If you need a routine service or inspection, we are available for that, too. We provide quality service at low, reasonable rates. Get in touch with Scott English Plumbing today.

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