Notice a leak coming from your bathroom? Pretty sure it’s the bathtub. Don’t panic, call us for Houston bathtub repair! Whether you need plumbing repairs or a new bathtub depends on the source of the leak, but we have affordable, effective solutions for all situations.
Signs You Need Houston Bathtub Repair
The problem with bathtub leaks is that they’re often pretty hard to spot until a lot of damage occurs. This is especially true if you’re not really sure what to look for. Knowing the signs can help you catch issues early so you can call for plumbing service.
Look out for the following signs that you need Houston bathtub repair:
- Bubbling on walls or ceilings near the tub
- Peeling paint
- Damp spots
- Loose tiles
These issues can signal major water damage coming from your bathtub or the pipes that supply and drain it. If you see these signs, call our team straight away for assistance.
Call Your Houston Emergency Plumber for Bathtub Leaks
If your bathtub is leaking, it’s time to call in some professional help. As we mentioned before, by the time you discover a bathtub leak, it may have already caused significant damage to your home. You could have wood rot under the floor or in the studs of your walls, major water damage, or even mold and mildew growth in places you can’t see or reach. Some bathtub leaks can even put you at risk of having the ceiling cave in underneath the bathtub. Any one of these issues can hold untold dangers for you and your family, so it’s probably time to call your Houston emergency plumber for help to stop the leak and repair the damage.
There could be several things going on causing your bathtub to leak. In some cases, it’s as simple as replacing a worn-out plastic washer, but in other cases, it’s time to replace the whole tub. Our experts can assess the issue and determine the best course of action for your home.
Houston Bathtub Repair for Leaky Faucets
One of the most common causes of bathtub leaks is a leaky faucet. There are several things that can go wrong with the faucet, so it’s best to work with your Houston bathtub repair specialists for help. It can be as simple as replacing some worn-out rubber washers, replacing the entire faucet assembly, or even fixing connections inside your walls.
When you notice your faucet dripping, this is generally a pretty good sign the interior washers are at the end of their lives. These washers sit against the valve that opens or stops water flow from your supply pipes. When they wear out and harden, they may not make a proper seal against the valve, allowing small amounts of water to drip out. Over time, this can get worse and lead to a full-on leak, so it’s important to replace them ASAP.
A faulty faucet assembly may also be to blame for faucet drips and bathtub leaks. In these cases, it may be best to simply replace the entire faucet. In some cases, you might also need to replace the whole valve assembly if the valve is worn or defective.
Finally, leaking faucets could be a sign that the water pipes that connect to your tub are worn or broken. Older pipes can corrode and older connections can loosen, leading to leaks. For this issue, you’ll need expert plumbing repair to help prevent further damage to your home and plumbing.
Leaking Drains and Overflow Pipes
Bathtub drain leaks are no joke either and can lead to some serious damage and even health hazards, depending on where the leak is. For example, if the leak is happening somewhere along the drain line, your family could be exposed to harmful sewer gases.
If you think you have a bathtub drain leak, you may need plumbing or Houston bathtub repair. If you’re not exactly sure you have a drain leak, try filling up your tub with a bit of water and measuring it. Leave it for about an hour and come back to measure the water level again. If it’s gone down, then you likely have an issue with the bathtub plug or the seal around the drain. However, if you have the same amount of water in the tub, but still have signs of a bathtub leak, then you could have an issue along the drain line. This requires professional repair to keep your home and family safe.
Another reason you might have a leak is through the overflow pipe on your bathtub. This drain pipe helps prevent your tub from overflowing and water spilling over the edge. However, it can also be a source for leaks. In most cases, leaks from the overflow drain are due to a worn out plastic washer. In most cases this isn’t a DIY-repair though. Replacing these washers can be difficult when your tub is already in place, so you may need our help to stop the overflow drain leak.
Check your Grout or Caulking
Now, we’ve talked a lot about your plumbing and things that can cause your bathtub to leak. However, sometimes it’s not the plumbing or the tub at all. Grout and caulk can deteriorate over time, allowing water to seep into small cracks.
It’s a good idea to check your grout and caulking for signs of wear and tear about once a month or so. This can help you catch issues before you’re dealing with major home repair costs. Look for cracks, shrinking, and discoloration to tell if you need to re-grout or re-caulk.
However, if you’ve had a leak for a while and just discovered it, then you may still have water damage or mold growth. Therefore, you may need help from your Houston emergency plumber, water remediation experts, mold removal professionals, or even professional carpenters to repair the damage.
Houston Bathtub Repair for Cracked Bathtubs
You might also notice leaks in your bathroom if you have a cracked tub. This is usually a pretty easy issue to diagnose, as you’ll probably see the crack.
Cracked bathtubs happen for many different reasons, but they usually fall into a few categories. The first is trauma from dropping heavy objects in the tub. Another reason is using harsh, corrosive cleaning chemicals that weaken the tub over time. Finally, if your bathtub wasn’t installed correctly by an expert plumber, then it may not have the support it needs, allowing it to flex and bend under pressure and leading to stress cracks. This is most common with fiberglass and acrylic bathtubs and is practically unheard of for porcelain tubs.
Depending on the condition of your tub and the reason it’s cracked, you may need Houston bathtub repair or even a replacement bathtub.
Houston Bathtub Repair Options
Houston bathtub repair is sometimes an option, though it’s usually not a permanent fix. For example, we may be able to fill the crack with hard, waterproof resins to seal the tub. There are even DIY kits some people use as a quick fix for cracked bathtubs. However, over time this resin will degrade and you’ll need to replace the bathtub.
Another option is to go with a custom bathtub liner. This fits tightly against your current bathtub and may help seal small surface cracks. However, these typically aren’t very durable because they’re made of thin layers of plastic or fiberglass. They also don’t do anything to prevent the crack from spreading over time. Therefore, it may be best to simply replace the tub instead.
Replacing Bathtubs
If Houston bathtub repair isn’t an option, then you’ll need a new bathtub. For example, if the tub cracked because it didn’t have enough support underneath, or if it’s just time for a newer, more durable option. Our plumbers can help remove and replace your bathtub properly to prevent leaks, cracks, and other issues, so you have peace of mind that your home and family are safe from water damage, mold, wood rot, and other issues associated with cracked or leaking tubs.
Choose Santhoff for Expert Plumbing Services
As a leading plumber, our team at Santhoff is here to help you with all your plumbing needs. Whether you need repairs for bathroom plumbing or are looking to install new lines for a bathroom addition or remodel, we’re here to help! As a 24 hr. plumber in Houston, we’re proud to offer rapid response to your plumbing emergencies. Call us day or night at (713) 360-2185 when you need repairs or plumbing service!