Old and broken floor tiles

When you purchase a home, one of the first things you should check carefully before you commit are the bathroom and kitchen for water damage. Here’s what to look for so that you catch the water damage in time to include it in the required repairs made before you purchase.

Odors

Check the bathrooms and kitchen, plus the utility room for a musty smell. Dampness gives off an odor over time. It typically signifies collected moisture and that mold grows behind the surface. If you cannot see the immediate cause of the smell, there may be water accumulating in interior wall cracks or there may be a hidden leak.

Wall Damage

Blistering paint and crumbling plaster both indicate water damage. There may be a leaking pipe within the wall. A wall that appears a bit crooked or a bit uneven may typify the early signs of water damage. Press against the tiles. If you fee movement, see gaps in the caulk or grout, or notice deepening cracks, there is water damage.

Floor Damage

Carefully consider the floors, too. Walk across all of the floor watching for soft spots and cracks. Clear signs of serious moisture issues include buckling, cracking, and dark stains. The plywood subfloor could have sustained damage and could rot away.

Visible Mold

As soon as you can visibly see mold, you definitely have water damage. It is serious damage. Mold begins growing from the interior of the walls out. When you can see it or mildew on the exterior of the wall, you already have serious water damage present. Repair will require fixing the leak; replacing damaged drywall and perhaps framing; mold and mildew remediation.

Home Inspection

Even if you miss something when you look at the home and put down your earnest money, you still have the home inspection to catch these items. If the home inspection turns up water damage, you can ask for the home seller to have it repaired before you finalized the purchase. This is a common practice.

Sometimes, if the seller does not want to have to make the repairs pre-sale, they will negotiate seller credit with you. This practice knocks the cost of the repairs off of your purchase price, freeing up the funds for the repairs and remediation. Here’s something you should both know: insurance may or may not cover the damage repairs. It depends on how the damage occurred.

Once the home becomes yours and you have everything in perfect repair, you will want to keep it that way. You can do that by following these simple steps:

Every month, inspect the bathtub and shower area as well as the sink. Look for missing grout and cracked tiles. Check the shower head and faucets for tight placement and drips.
Check the pipes and valves for leaks. Fix any you spot immediately. Replace rusty parts.
Check drainage areas. Maintain their cleanliness and make sure they remain unclogged.
Examine the toilet and immediately fix even minor leaks, especially those occurring at the toilet’s base.
Install high quality exhaust fans and use them to lower humidity levels to prevent excessive moisture accumulation.

Whether you are in the process of buying your home or you already own it, we can help you maintain its beauty and great working condition. Contact the Grout Experts for help repairing water damage to your bathroom. We’re here to help you salvage your tile, remediate mold and mildew damage, and restore your bathroom to its prior pristine nature.