Based on a review of U.S. homeowner’s insurance claims, almost 20% of issues were caused by “non-weather-related” water damage such as plumbing or appliance issues. One of the most common sources of leakage in household bathrooms is also one of the easiest to monitor: the site of the overflow drain in your bathtub.
Unfortunately, often you are unaware of potential problems since leakage only occurs if the bathtub is filled above the overflow drain height. So you won’t know you have a problem until the mechanism is stressed by overfilling with 80 to 100 gallons of water. Since this situation rarely occurs, the structural failure goes undetected for years, causing water damage and potential cleanup afterward.
The Usual Causes
Take a look at your tub. The main drain is located at the bottom of your bathtub and has some type of a plug stopper or some other mechanical device to regulate the release of water. The overflow tube is a safety feature that channels water that has overfilled the tub back down into the drain pipes before it can spill over the edge of the tub.
If you overfill the bathtub, the water will find this overflow drain before it spills onto the floor. Behind this cover is the overflow gasket which attaches to the drain to create a watertight seal, preventing leaks. Over time, these overflow gaskets loosen, crack or rot over time, causing the most common reason for water damage.
The second most common reason for water damage in the bathroom is just too much splashing and sloshing that soaks the floor. While the cleanup may seem simple, if not done properly, it can lead to more damage.
Detection
If you suspect that your bathtub has the potential for an overflow drain disaster, call Rumsey Construction to investigate. In most cases, there will be access panels that can be opened to view the overflow as the water is draining. However, in some modern homes, there are no access panels installed. If this is the case, the bathtub drain plumbing can sometimes be viewed from the basement. If there is no basement access, the Rumsey team can use an infrared camera to view the areas below the plumbing fixtures. Leakage caused by this failed gasket at the overflow drain opening can then be observed and the damage can be repaired.
Restoring A Property After Water Damage
With proper maintenance, an overflow gasket should last about 10 years before it needs to be replaced. Installing a replacement will reduce other repair costs such as damage to your floor and ceiling. If you didn’t catch the problem in time, Rumsey Construction and Restoration is here to help.
As soon as you call Rumsey Construction and Restoration, the first step is to find the source of the water and make sure that no more water is leaking or seeping in. The water will be extracted quickly using commercial grade extractors. The area is dried immediately with commercial fans and large dehumidifiers to prevent mold growth.
Once everything is dry we use thermal detectors to determine what needs to be restored and what is okay the way it is. After removing damaged items, the construction team will restore your home to its original condition – rebuilding walls and ceilings, restoring flooring, structural damage and repainting.
Call Today To Avoid Further Damage
Don’t wait until after the “Safer At Home” guidelines are lifted to get your property restored from water or fire damage. Our certified technicians are available NOW, as always, to help you. As an essential business to the community, we remain open and on-call.
Water Damage Cleanup In Columbia, South Carolina
Rumsey Construction is a full-service construction and restoration company in Columbia, SC with extensive experience to handle your water problems. These water damage professionals can respond to all types of disasters: fire damage, smoke damage restoration, water restoration, and storm damage.
When you have water damage in your bathroom, Rumsey Construction and Restoration is available to manage your entire rebuild process: demolition, structural framing, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, sheetrock, paint, carpet, and even custom cabinets.
