Few things are as relaxing as a long soak in the bathtub after a hard day’s work. But just like any other plumbing fixtures in your home, bathtubs require regular maintenance to ensure they’re working properly. Here are some tips for keeping your bathtub in good working order to avoid water leaks in Springfield Missouri.
Clean Your Drains Regularly
With a little extra care on keeping your drains cleaned on a regular basis, you can avoid bigger plumbing problems down the road. Clogs in your bathtub drain can either be a minor inconvenience or wreak havoc on your plumbing. The biggest drain clog culprit is hair.
Loose, wet hair goes down your drain and can easily attach itself to other materials like soap scum or dead skin cells, clogging up your pipes and causing water leaks. Instead of letting the problem build up over time, use a drain cleaning tool every month or two to clear out debris before it gets out of hand. Installing a screen over your drain can go a long way toward preventing debris from entering your drain in the first place.
After you wash your pets in the bathtub, as soon as you're done, be sure to clean all that pet hair out of your drains.
If your bathtub drains very slowly when you let the water out, then that's a telltale sign that you've got a clog that needs attention.
Check Caulking And Sealants
Another common problem is water leaks coming from the caulking where the floor tiles or wall tiles meet the bathtub. Regularly examining your caulking and sealants is important. Over time, caulking cracks, chips, and peels, allowing water to potentially leak through.
It’s recommended to replace the caulking around your bathtub every five years. But if you notice your caulking is breaking down, you'll want to replace it as soon as you can. Make sure you strip away all of the old caulk before applying a new bead.
Clean Surfaces Regularly
The moisture around bathtubs makes them a prime candidate for calcium buildup, mold growth, and soap scum. Wipe down your tub regularly with a bathroom cleaning product designed to eliminate soap scum. A white vinegar mixture can do wonders in breaking down mineral deposits on faucets or showerheads. Nobody wants to bathe in a dirty bathtub.
Bathtubs can be a relatively easy plumbing fixture to maintain if you stay on top of things. If your bathtubs ever have water leaks, clogs, or any other plumbing problems the professional plumbers in Springfield, Missouri at United Plumbing can handle all of your plumbing needs.