A broken faucet, a poorly fitting shower door, moisture buildup on the ceiling in above, even an open window in a storm can allow excess water in your bathroom. Not only are the sudden and unexpected deluges damaging, so are the slow leaks. Water damage in bathrooms is common for many reasons:
- Leaky toilets, sinks, and plumbing pipes
- Broken lines within the walls
- Lingering moisture caused by lack of ventilation
- Damp clothes against a sheetrock wall
- Insufficient seals around the tub or shower
When You See (or Feel) A Leak
Plumbing problems never get better on their own. When you find or suspect a problem with an intake line, faucet, or drain you need to call in a professional. The sooner you repair the damage, the less secondary damage will happen to sheetrock, grout, floors, and possessions. GS Jones, located in Pittsburgh, is a company dedicated to correcting the structural problems and restoring your bathroom.
Bad (or No) Air Flow
Poor ventilation is a common problem in bathrooms. People tend to close the doors when the shower is in use and immediately after the morning routine. Closed doors can trap all the steam in the bathroom for the entire day. The moisture then lands on the area’s floor, walls and plumbing fixtures. Over time, this damp air can cause water damage, and the restoration costs can be extremely high.
So keep the door open. In addition to the exhaust fan above the toilet area, you may want to place a window-mounted fan in one of your bathroom windows and set it to “exhaust,” to force the damp air out and pull drier air in. It’s not enough to run the vent during your shower or bath—you should leave it on for at least a half-hour after you’re done.
Mold Prevention
Mold and mildew are common bathroom problems that are caused by water damage and can be a challenge to control. Even in new homes and well maintained homes, your home could foster the perfect combination of factors. Here are some bathroom best practices:
- Use a mildew-resistant shower curtain, and wash or replace it frequently.
- Don’t keep bottles of shampoo or shower gel, toys, or loofahs where they stay damp.
- Wash your bathroom rugs frequently.
Professional Restoration In Pittsburgh
When you need bathroom repairs due to water damage, what should you do? Assess your situation… Do you have the tools and the manpower to move faster than mold can get established? Are you able to get a steady supply of clean, fresh air across the room until the final clean up? If your problem is too large to handle quickly on your own, enlist qualified water damage restoration experts. The team of professionals will immediately assess the situation and protect your home. Armed with information about the extent of the damage to your carpet and the likely cause of the damage, GS Jones can contact your insurance company and determine with them what replacement help you might expect.