The bathroom, with all its plumbing fixtures is most susceptible to leaks, with the bathtub being at the forefront of it all. Most of the time, people don’t even realise the tub is leaking until mould develops or they see water leaking from the ceiling under the bathroom. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ve come to the right place. Call Mr.Drain Plumbing San Jose at 510-257-1408.
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Also, if you have been living in a property in San Jose that’s quite old and wonder how to locate the source of the leak, then read along and learn the causes and possible solutions for water leaking from under the bathtub.
Why is the bathtub leaking from underneath?
Bathtub leaks shouldn’t be ignored even if they start out small. In time they will get larger and may lead to flooding. You already know that mould can also develop, so that’s another reason not to postpone the repair. So, why is your bathtub leaking underneath?
The bathtub is cracked – The first and most obvious cause; however, it’s not always that easily noticeable. Some cracks can be as fine as a hairline yet still cause trouble. The easiest way to check is to fill the tub with water and turn off the tap. Then look closely at the water for any areas that seem to be sucked down. If you do notice a crack, you can repair it by purchasing a repair kit. There are two kinds on the market: those for surface repair and those for internal repairs. Both have self-explanatory instructions, so they should be easy to implement.
Bathtub taps are leaking – The most common problem that everybody ignores because the water goes into the tub and doesn’t cause mould to develop. However, the constant dripping may start to corrode the area it hits. Usually, the rubber washers inside the taps are the reason for the leak. There you can fix the dripping tap by yourself, provided you have a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench. However, it’s possible that the washers are not the problem, but rather the taps themselves, in which case you need to get in touch with a professional. Don’t wait to call Mr.Drain in San Jose to fix the problem ASAP.
Issues with the grout – It’s completely possible that the leak is not coming from the pipework or drainage system, but from the shrinkage of grout. Indeed, the grout can shrink around the tiles, which are always hit by water. This issue is easy to fix. You need to regrout the tiles with a mixture of silicone caulking and grout. The equal parts of the two will create a new moisture barrier.
Bath overflow pipe leaking – This pipe is located at the back of the bathtub. The most common reason is the gasket between the actual overflow pipe and the tub; it dries up and cracks with age or due to lack of moisture. It’s possible to change it on your own, but you will need some initial preparation. More on that down below…
Can a leaking bathtub be repaired and how?
Yes, in some cases, you can repair the bathtub leak on your own, depending on the nature of the problem. It’s very important to pinpoint the source of the leak so you can fix it properly and not damage something that’s already in good condition. The following two are the most common reasons why your bathtub leaks, and you can fix them on your own.
How to repair water leaking from bathtub drain
If you live in a two-storey home and you notice water leaking from the ceiling under the bathtub, then you need to replace the bathtub drain. This repair is easy and cheap to carry out, but you will need several items:
Tub drain remover wrench.
A flathead screwdriver.
Plumber’s putty.
A new drain if the old one is broken. It’s possible that it’s not, and instead, the seal needs replacing.
Vacuum cleaner.
And this is how to repair water leaking from the bathtub drain:
Place the tub wrench in the drain. The tool has two ends for different drain sizes; choose the one that fits snugly.
Put the screwdriver in the little hole in the tool for extra leverage and turn the tool left to loosen the drain.
Remove the drain.
Scrape off the old plumber’s putty from the hole using the flathead screwdriver. Afterwards, vacuum the area to remove even the tiniest of pieces.
Remove the gasket from between the bathtub and the drain spout. If it’s in good shape, clean it and put it back in. If it’s cracked, replace it.
Put the clean or new gasket inside the hole in the tub and be careful so that it won’t fall in.
Get a little ball of plumber’s putty and roll it, so it resembles a fat piece of spaghetti.
Roll the putty around the drain and do it gently.
Screw the drain back into the hole. Start by hand until you can’t anymore. Then put the tub drain wrench and tighten it fully.
Remove the excess putty once the drain squeezes it out.
Let the putty dry for about 24 hours.
Close the drain and run some water over it. This is to test for any potential leaks. If you see no bubbles, then you’re good to go.
Water Leaking from Under the Bathtub: Possible Causes and Solutions
Need help? Hire the Mr.Drain plumbing experts today by giving us a call on 510-257-1408.
For anyone looking for a professional plumbing company in San Jose, Mr.Drain Plumbing is the top choice. As your local hometown plumbers, the community knows they can trust us for any plumbing repair. We offer services in water heater installations and repairs, frozen pipe repairs, leak repairs, faucet repairs, drain cleaning, water softener installation, sewer and toilet repairs, garbage disposal repairs and replacements, pipe replacement, video pipe inspection, boiler installation, and backflow testing. As well as, 24/7 emergency plumbing. If your pipes burst at 4:00 am, don’t hesitate to call, we will be there for you!
