Have you ever stopped to think about just how much water runs through your bathroom every day? No? Well, since we deal with water damage in Columbia every day, we have. On average, the toilet goes through 18.5 gallons of water per person per day, while a 10 minute shower accounts for 25 gallons per person per day. A family of four typically uses 400 gallons of water every day, and the bathroom is the largest consumer of indoor water. When you think about all that water flowing in and out of your bathroom, it is no surprise that it is a common place for water damage cleanup. So, how can we continue to use our bathroom but also help reduce the risk of water damage? We have thought about that too, and here are some things we at Rumsey Construction & Restoration suggest you do to help you avoid potential water damage cleanup in your bathroom.
Water Damage Cleanup In Columbia
- Keep your shower, tub, and sink drains clear to avoid clogs. Clogged drains allow water to backup and overflow into your bathroom, and considering everything that goes down our drains, there is always risk of clogs occurring. How can you help minimize buildup from going down drains? Drain shields are a great way to catch excess soap scum and hair from going down the tub and shower drain – that they it can be wiped down and thrown away rather than pushed down the drain where, over time, they will form a clog. You can also use store-bought drain cleaners to remove build up, or use your own mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water. Make cleaning your drains a part of your regular bathroom cleaning routine to help keep clogs at bay.
- Make sure seals around bathroom fixtures are water tight. Caulk is used around tub inserts, toilets, and sinks to ensure that no water can seep out around these fixtures, but overtime this caulk can pull away and leave areas susceptible to water damage. Look for areas where gapping may be occurring or where caulk is peeling away, and be sure to reapply as needed to create a water-tight seal. Grout is also used around tiled showers and floors to keep seal water, and can become damaged or chipped over time. This is not as easy of a fix as reapplying caulk, but should still be resolved so water cannot leak outside of designated areas.
- Last, but definitely not least, do not overload your toilet. Toilet clogs can cause water to rush out of the toilet bowl into your bathroom and can require some pretty serious water damage cleanup. To reduce the risk of your toilet from clogging, be sure to never flush anything other than the necessary amount of toilet paper down the toilet. Feminine hygiene products, sanitary napkins, and any and all other products need to be thrown in the trash instead of flushed down the drain where they can get caught and cause blockages. It is also important to clean the toilet regularly to prevent build up inside the bowl and in the plumbing, which can restrict the flow of water both in refilling and emptying the bowl.
If you find yourself facing water damage in your bathroom, be sure to give our restoration and cleanup experts a call. We’re available around the clock for all your emergency needs.
