Preventing Water Damage In The Bathroom

Water Damage Cleanup Waukesha

As one of the most frequently used rooms in your home, the bathroom is an area of your room that commonly requires water damage cleanup. Toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs all require plumbing to function, but as these fixtures age, they become more vulnerable to damage, loosened connections, and corrosion. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent water damage in your bathroom.

• One of the most effective ways to prevent water damage is to clean and clear your drains. Blockages and clogs disrupt the flow of water, leading to overflow and flooding, which can require significant water damage cleanup. Hair, soap, scum, and grime are common culprits of drain clogs in bathrooms, but you can minimize their impact by using drain shields or guards to filter out unwanted debris. Periodically cleaning out your drains with commercial-grade drain cleaner or a mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water will also help reduce the risk of clogs.
• Toilets are another potential source of water damage cleanup in the bathroom. Overworking your toilet by flushing too much toilet paper, sanitary wipes, or other personal hygiene products can cause clogs and overflows. Instead, incredibly feminine hygiene products should be disposed of in the garbage to avoid causing clogs in the drain. You should also keep a close watch on small children and teach them not to flush anything down the toilet, as they are known culprits of flushing items down the toilet that can cause major clogs. If your toilet is clogged, get the blockage resolved quickly to avoid toilet overflow into your bathroom, which requires special sanitization during water damage cleanup.
• Regularly inspecting your shower and tub is also crucial in preventing water damage in the bathroom. Grout and caulk play a critical role in sealing fixtures and preventing water from leaking out of the shower and tub. If the caulk or grout is chipped, cracked, pulling away from the surface, or deteriorating, repair it before any water is turned on. Reapplying caulk every few years can help prevent leaks. Keeping your tub and shower clean is also essential to prevent excess build-up from washing down the drain.
• Checking your plumbing regularly is also essential in preventing water damage. Aging pipes are prone to corrosion and rust, which can cause leaks over time resulting in water damage cleanup. Inspect your pipes regularly and look for any signs that may indicate they are leaking, such as musty smells, water spots or stains, bubbling on walls, or warping on floors. Check the faucet supply lines under bathroom vanities to ensure no water leaks, and inspect the connections behind the toilet for any signs of leaks.

In summary, routine maintenance and regular inspections of your bathroom fixtures will help reduce the risk of water damage and allow you to detect and resolve any problems before they lead to significant water damage cleanup. If you do find yourself in need of water damage cleanup in your bathroom or anywhere else in your Waukesha home, be sure to call the water damage cleanup experts at White Knight.