Over time, water damage may cause dormant bacteria to become active and multiply throughout your home. This can result in mold and mildew growing in hidden areas of your walls, floors, and ceilings. Water damage is something you should always be mindful of when living in an apartment but it’s especially important if you are a renter or live in an older property that does not have the newest systems or technologies installed. Here are some tips to help prevent water damage and keep your home dry, clean, and free from mold.
- Water Damage Repair Tips: Check for Leaks in the Toilet
Toilets are one of the most common places for leaks. Simpler toilets (without an internal flush tank) are more likely to leak than more complex models, but all toilet repairs can cause major problems unless you hire a professional plumber. Leaks around the base of the toilet bowl can allow water to enter the floor, causing damage to your hardwood flooring. If you find any leaks around the base of your toilet, seal them immediately with pipe tape. A special rubber tape is specifically designed for this purpose. Make sure to allow time for it to cure fully before using it permanently in place.
- Water Damage Repair Tips: Change the Catches
Not every toilet has a flush valve underneath the tank, but if you suspect that your toilet is leaking, you should look for a flush valve under the tank of your toilet. In some older models, there are no drain holes on the outside of your toilet. Instead, there may be a second internal ring to catch water and prevent sewer gas from reaching the inside of your home.
- Water Damage Repair Tips: Check the Toilet Paper Holder
Check to see that the toilet paper holder is installed securely onto the wall of your toilet and is not loose. If it’s loose, water could be leaking around this part and into your walls. This may result in damage to your walls and floors as well as cause mildew. In case of a leak around the toilet paper holder, contact a professional plumber immediately.
- Water Damage Repair Tips: Check for Leaks in the Sink
Run your faucet and inspect the sink for any leaks. Look around the sink’s drain area to see if there are signs of water damage, such as discolored grout or erosion under the drain. If you do find any signs of leakage, shut off your water supply immediately and contact a plumber to fix it as soon as possible.
- Water Damage Repair Tips: Check for Leaks in the Tub
Inspect the tub for any signs of water damage, such as fraying or cracking of the caulking, mold, loose grout, or rust around the drain. If you find any of these problems, shut off your water supply and contact a plumber to fix it as soon as possible. There may also be a leak underneath your bathtub that runs straight through to the floor beneath it.
- Water Damage Repair Tips: Check for Leaks in the Shower
Inspect the shower for any signs of water damage. Look at the caulking of the shower and make sure it is not cracked, frayed, or missing. If you find any of these problems, shut off your water supply immediately. If there is any sign of water in the tub, shut off your water supply immediately and contact a plumber to fix it as soon as possible. There may also be a leak underneath your shower that runs straight through to the floor beneath it.
- Water Damage Repair Tips: Check for Leaks in the Toilet Tank
Check your toilet tank regularly to see if there are any signs of leakage, such as rust on the tank, or water damage on the walls near where the tank is mounted in the bathroom. If you see any signs of leakage, shut off your water supply immediately and contact a plumber to fix it as soon as possible.
In most cases, your water damage repair should be handled by a plumber so you can avoid further damage to your home. Don’t attempt to fix water damage yourself if you are not a plumber, otherwise, you may make things worse. There are some items that homeowners can fix themselves, but they must be done correctly and there is always the risk of making things worse.
