Signs You Need To Know That Signal Water Damage In A Residential Bathroom

Even a small amount of leaking water in a bathroom will quickly lead to serious structural damage and unhealthy mold colonization. By quickly taking steps to repair water damaged areas before mold and dry rot can take hold, you will prevent illness for your family members and head off structural damage to your home.

For the above reasons, it is important you know how to identify the common symptoms of water damage in your home's bathrooms as well as those in future homes you may consider purchasing. To do so like an experienced water damage restoration professional, look for these signs:

Bathroom Water Damage Sign: The Floor Feels Spongy

When water leaks and intrudes into the plywood below a bathroom's tile or vinyl flooring, it will make the floor feel spongy when it is walked on.

If the toilet drain seal or water inlet line in your bathroom is leaking, then the floor around the toilet will start to feel spongy and the toilet will move around when you sit on it.

Bathroom Water Damage Sign: You Can Move Tile by Pressing on It or Mold Repeatedly Grows on Its Grout

If your bathtub surround or shower is made of tile, you can determine the health of the underlying sheetrock by pressing on it. If the tile moves, then there is water damage behind it. Also, if mold keeps growing on the grout, then this also signals the tile is staying wet from the water intrusion behind it.

If you see any paint bubbling or peeling above the bathtub surround or behind the toilet, then these are also signs that water has intruded into the sheetrock and mold is actively growing.

Bathroom Water Damage Sign: You Smell a Musty Smell Even After Cleaning

If your bathroom always seems to have a musty smell even after it has been cleaned, then this is a big sign there is a water damage problem.

Sheetrock and plywood that gets wet take a long time to dry and if there is a slow water leak or the area repeatedly gets wet each day as your family members shower. As the building materials stay moist they start to grow mold that is nearly impossible to get rid of with bleach or household cleaners.

If you see any of the above signs of water damage in a bathroom, have the area looked at by a professional water damage restoration company or a local building contractor.