How To Check Water Damage Behind Tile Floor

Paint peeling from the wall in and around the shower is one sign of a leak.

How to check water damage behind tile floor.

Flooding can wreak havoc on natural stone and tile floors. Water damage to floors. Generally speaking if drywall has swelled or sagged 3 8 of an inch or more from the baseline then you need to replace the entire sheet. And remember to check the insulation behind the drywall for damage as well.

It can be time consuming and costly to repair. To check for a toilet leak add some food coloring to the tank and let it sit for 10 minutes. Flood waters not only contain water which can harm and destroy marble granite limestone terrazzo and tile flooring but they also contain debris and dirt as well as other harmful contaminants that can cause staining and other problems. Dripping or spraying water in the wall will soak the plasterboard or drywall.

A leaking washing machine or dishwasher can mean major water damage so keeping an eye on hoses and replacing them as they age is a good plan. Many times the damage that is done by the. We ll tell you how to prevent and repair floor water damage. Set all the ceramic tiles you removed to the side.

Place a wide putty knife under the ceramic tile parallel to the floor. Repeat this procedure for all ceramic tiles with underlying water. The water damage floor coverings and even subfloors sustain from flooding or something like a broken pipe can be significant. Hollow tiles are loose due to a breakdown in the adhesive material holding them in place.

Quick response is best although ceramic tile normally withstands water or flood damage fairly well water can be wicked into walls or subflooring to which the tile is attached. Check tiles occasionally for hollow sounds when tapped particularly in areas where plumbing or appliances are nearby. Grout can also crack or deteriorate in a flood so have your floor checked for damage as soon after the flood as possible. Periodically check these tiled surfaces for evidence of staining and hollow tiles their presence might indicate that you have a leak somewhere nearby.

A hollow sound indicates a separation of the tile from the mortar below usually due to water damage. For a faucet or water based appliance look for pooling or dripping water around the appliance itself or the connected pipes. Tap each tile with your knuckles or a penny and listen for any differences. If the coloring moved to the bowl you have a toilet leak.

Otherwise you can cut out and water damage repair the water stained portion. Use the rubber mallet to tap the head of the putty knife to pop the ceramic tile from its place.