When your shower drain starts leaking, it can cause a large amount of water waste that can seriously impact your bill and even damage other parts of your shower at the same time. As a result, you need to understand how to spot potential leak problems and read through an in-depth shower drain seal replacement guide to ensure that you know what is happening here. 

How to Find Leaks Properly 

Before assuming that your shower drain has a leak, it’s important to do a little careful research to identify the source of this problem and trace it back as far as possible. First, pay attention to your water bill to see if it gets oddly high. If you do, there’s likely a water leak in your home, and if you think it’s in your shower drain, there are a few other ways you can make sure. 

Now, turn off all the water sources in your home, including the faucets and any appliances that use water. Don’t turn off your water supply; instead, check your water meter and come back a few hours later to see if the numbers have changed. If they have, there’s a leak in your house, and if you can shut off the water supply to every other appliance but your shower, it’s there. 

Lastly, you can check the area around your tub for obvious signs of water damage. We’re not talking about just the flooring around the tub but the materials beneath it. You might not be able to move your tub, so go beneath it in your basement and look for signs of wetness and even rotting. If you see these issues, it’s important to talk with a plumber and get the help that you need. 

Even a minor shower drain leak can cause serious problems in your home. For example, your water bill is naturally going to increase (as we hinted earlier) and could even increase heavily. Most people have a pretty stable and consistent water bill, so when it goes up for no reason, there’s a good chance that you have a link somewhere, like in your shower drain. 

A Few Fixes That May Help You 

Now, before hiring a professional to replace your shower head or trying to do it yourself, it’s a good idea to know a few simple fixes that might help here. In fact, there’s a good chance that a few of these will fix the problem for you more quickly than you might anticipate and get your shower running well again. For example, you can try cleaning the shower head. 

Why should you do that? Well, dirt and mineral buildup in the head might cause some shower problems and even potentially cause leaks. Here’s a simple step you can take: spray the cleaner with an all-purpose bathroom cleaner or a light blend of water and vinegar and wipe the shower head, the nozzle, and other areas of the head. This step is just smart housekeeping. 

Now, turn off the water supply to your shower and carefully inspect the drain and the shower head for problems. By this, we mean obviously visible signs of wear and tear, such as damage to the shower head that might be causing leaks. You should also check for the plumbing beneath the tub to get an idea of where the leaks may be originating and gauge what’s happening here. 

No matter what you find, it’s probably a good idea to call a plumbing professional first to get the help that you need! Plumbing repairs are typically a little too complex for most homeowners to handle on their own and require a professional who understands your issues and how to fix them. In this way, you can reduce your leak issues and ensure things run smoothly for you.

Finding a Trustworthy Plumber 

Before seeking out a skilled plumber for your home’s issues, it’s a good idea to do a little research and find a professional you can trust. Read online reviews, check out their Better Business Bureau ranking, and much more. Doing so can ensure that you get the high-quality support that you need to catch drain problems and keep your water usage under control.

Jane