The average household uses approximately 80-100 gallons of water per person per day. For a family of 4, that's almost 2,500 gallons of water a week! The largest portion of this consumption comes from bathroom use. Flushing the toilet uses the most water, followed by taking a shower or bath. With that much water running through the home, water damage in the bathroom is bound to happen. Knowing how to spot signs of a water leak is essential to preventing long-term damage. This guide provides you with tips to reduce the impact of water damage on your bathroom.

Causes of Bathroom Water Damage

Some signs of water damage are more obvious like puddles or pools of water on the floor. However, there are others that are more difficult to spot. Discovering a hidden leak will help prevent long-term damage. Luckily, a lot of these causes of water damage can be prevented or remedied quickly.

• Pipe breaks are the most common cause of water damage we see in our daily jobs. The age of a pipe plays a large role in a pipe break as well as corrosion. Over time, the metal begins to break down, allowing water to escape. Frozen pipe breaks are also a concern in the winter months. 
• Toilet overflows caused by paper products or children flushing inappropriate items.
• Degraded caulking around the toilet or bathtub can allow water seepage, sometimes behind the fixture, into the subfloor or walls.
• Condensation forms when the water in a pipe is cooler than the air temperature. Beads of water form on the exterior of the pipes, sometimes so much so that the water begins to drip and pool below. 
• Sink or shower backups created by poor drainage. 

How to Prevent Water Damage in Your Bathroom 

1. Inspect your toilet supply line for worn or frayed hoses and replace them as needed. 
2. Winterize your plumbing to prevent a frozen pipe break.
3. Use vent fans to prevent condensation that can lead to mold growth.
4. Routinely check and replace degraded caulking around your toilet or bathtub.
5. Increase the temperature in your toilet tank and insulate your pipes during the warm summer months to keep condensation from forming. 
6. Use child safety locks on the toilets.
7. Flush only toilet paper. "Flushable" wet wipes are actually not good for your plumbing system. Additionally, feminine hygiene products should not be flushed. 
8. Prevent water from escaping the tub or shower. Make sure shower curtains are in good condition. Inspect shower doors and replace the seal strip if necessary. 
9. Wipe up any water that accumulates on the floor and use bath mats. Water left to sit can cause damage to the tiles and flooring. 
10. Refrain from using bath products containing heavy oils to avoid a clogged drain.

Recognizing the sources of bathroom water damage is the first step in avoiding the situation. We hope you find these tips useful but if you do experience water damage in the bathroom, we can help. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Contact us anytime for an immediate response.