Bathroom leaks: How to avoid them

Leaking taps, pipes or other fittings in bathrooms can cause not just unsightly but also very costly damage. Once these fittings are installed, it can also be difficult to access and repair them if they do leak, therefore prevention is the key. Household insurance may not cover damage created by slow chronic leaks, so you may have to foot the bill if penetrating damage to structures or fittings (such as rotting in floors) is caused. Read on for tips on plugging the potentially pricey bathroom leak nuisance.

Bathroom troubleshooting: Is it a leak?

It's safe to say that you can suspect a leaky fitting or pipe in your bathroom when a concentrated area is damp or mouldy, or when plaster or paint is cracking or damaged. Look for the leak around, above or behind this area. A severe chronic leak may show up in other areas - rotting carpets in adjoining rooms, for example.

Bathroom emergency: Consider an expert

Plumbing is one of those renovation jobs that is generally best left to the experts. If you are having your bathroom seriously renovated, including structural work, you'll need to use a licensed plumber to (hopefully) ensure that mistakes are avoided. You will save money in the long run by having it done correctly.

The bathroom leak: Simple avoidance tactics

In order to avoid the minor (or sometimes major) catastrophe of bathroom water leakage, here's a checklist of things to do:

• Find and repair: Fix any problems you already have. One dripping tap can waste up to 20,000 litres of water a year. Find any leaks in your house by turning off the water at all taps, and note the water meter reading. Check the meter again in an hour, and if any water has been used then a tap is leaking somewhere - usually replacing the washer will fix the problem
• Vanities: Ensure that new vanity basins are correctly installed, as leaks may ensue if the feature is not properly sealed around the counter or taps
• Under the shower: Ensure that the shower base is lined with a waterproof membrane that extends partly up the walls, and that this has no tiny holes. Tiles alone are not sufficient to prevent water seeping through the shower base
• Shower cracks: Check that your shower has no cracks or gaps. If you find any, these can be repaired with a sealant. Leaking around taps (not drips from the taps themselves) can also be repaired with sealant
• DIY: If you are installing a new tap or other simple feature, ensure that all fittings are properly sealed, and that any parts that are screwed together are securely sealed with plumber's tape. Ensure that you test with as high a water pressure as you will actually be using on a regular basis before closing up the work area
• Sizing: For small DIY jobs, ensure that you have exactly the correct size fittings before trying to assemble them. Never attempt to make ill-fitting pieces join together by using excess plumber's tape, silicone, or other sealants, which can actually cause disastrous results

This list is not exhaustive and you may wish to speak to a qualified plumbing expert before undertaking any DIY work. If the job is not a small one, you probably should bite the bullet and hire a certified professional.

Leaks in bathrooms can be avoided simply by ensuring that all new fittings and appliances are installed and sealed correctly, and checked for leaks before being covered. If in doubt, ask an expert to check your bathroom and all fittings - it's not worth getting into deep water (quite literally in some cases) simply because a few easy steps weren't followed.