How to Find and Repair A Bathtub Leak

There are two main areas where a bathtub leak might occur: the faucet drip or the underlying pipes. Additional areas to watch are the grout, body of the tub and the drain. Depending on the nature of the leak, you have different repair options. However, signs of trouble remain constant for both types of leaks. Be on the lookout for curling vinyl flooring or loose tiles, peeling or flaking paint, worn-out wood finishing, water stains on the ceiling, mold on the wall or floor, or general pooling around the base of the tub. Spotting these tell tale signs early might be able to save your bathroom from bigger issues.

Here's how to successfully find and repair a bathtub leak:

Find the culprit

First things first: You must locate the leak before you repair it. It's relatively simple to determine whether or not your faucet or grout is leaking - just check to see if water is spilling out of either area. To test if the actual tub has a leak in it, wipe the outside until it is completely dry and line the area with newspaper. As you begin to fill the tub up, you'll want to keep an eye out for areas of the newspaper that start getting wet.

To test the drain, completely fill the tub with water. When it's filled, carefully listen for the sound of water seeping out. If you hear those sounds and see the water start to decrease, chances are the drain assembly isn't fully sealed.

If you aren't experiencing any of the issues listed above, it's most likely coming from your pipes. Contact your local Roto-Rooter and have it take a closer look.

Repair the leak

Faucet:

Start the faucet repair process by completely turning off your water supply. Proceed by removing the plastic caps from the center of the faucet. Next, use a screwdriver to disconnect the handle of the faucet. With a wrench, remove the packing nut used to hold the faucet in place. Replace the stem washers and then secure your new fixtures. Be sure to turn your water supply back on once you're done.

Grout:

To restore the grout, locate and clean around the leaking area. If you spot a crack, seal the leak by applying caulking to the crevasses. Before running your water, wait about three hours to allow the sealant to thoroughly dry.

Tub:

If you're looking to repair leaks in the actual bathtub, you're going to need a heavy-duty sealant with waterproof powers. Dry the area and apply a generous amount of sealant to the cracks. Use sandpaper to flatten the sealant that is on surface of the tub.

Drain:

If the water in your tub is draining quickly, chances are the plumber's putty on the inside of the plug is starting to rub off. Remove the drain plug with a pair of screwdrivers and reapply some putty. You can purchase this at the nearest hardware store.

For more information on how to repair a bathtub leak, contact your Roto-Rooter professional today.